November 13, 2014
By Neal Tepel
New York, NY — New York City has successfully enrolled 53,230 children in full-day pre-K during this school year. Children are attending programs in 1,700 sites. These include public schools and community-based early childhood centers in neighborhoods across the five boroughs. Over 6,000 educators have been hired and are participating in the city’s first-ever Citywide Professional Development Training for pre-K instructors.
“We are well on our way to providing every child with the right start in their education, so they can succeed in school and in life. We made pre-K for all the centerpiece of our agenda to fight inequality and give every family opportunity. We are working every day to ensure these programs fulfill their potential and meet the highest standards. Two months in, high-quality, full-day pre-K is changing children’s lives,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Research has been consistent. Universal pre-K is the launching pad to the long-term successful academic achievement of children. Pre-K offers a critical and irreplaceable academic foundation for young children. In pre-K classrooms across the City, 4-year-olds are developing social and literacy skills, expanding their vocabulary, and being exposed to educational materials that they just can’t get if they’re not in school.
Of the children enrolled in full-day pre-K under the New York City Department of Education:17,152 are in Brooklyn, 13,576 are in Queens, 12,127 are in the Bronx,7,255 are in Manhattan, and 3,120 are in Staten Island.
This model program must continue next school year with every eligible child in the city participating.
