Expanded preschool

Middlesex school officials are attempting to spread the word about a state-funded preK program that will get underway in the coming months and be open to all age-eligible borough children.

The state Department of Education awarded the Middlesex K-12 district $632,076 in funding for the expanded program in October. The borough school system was one of 18 districts in the state that collectively received nearly $20 million to expand their preschool programs.

The awarded districts will open their new programs by this winter. Middlesex school officials are attempting to inform the community about the opportunity, including families who do not currently have students enrolled in the district.

Families who are potentially interested in the expanded preschool program can attend an information session at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4 in the Middlesex High School media center.

The preschool program is for 3- or 4-year-old children or children turning 3 on or before Oct. 1, 2025.

Districts that received funding demonstrated they can provide a high-quality preschool program to enrolled students. A high-quality preschool is defined as a full-day program with a certificated teacher, an aide, a curriculum aligned with the New Jersey Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards, and small classes that are inclusive of children with special needs who have an individualized education plan.

According to School Superintendent Dr. Roberta Freeman, correspondence about the expanded program is being sent directly to district families. Flyers are also being distributed in other locations throughout Middlesex, such as pizzerias, laundromats, the borough library, grocery stores, pediatricians’ offices, dental offices and local preschool providers who are partnering with the K-12 district.

“This initiative represents a wonderful opportunity for our families,” said Dr. Freeman. “As we continue to expand our preschool programming and collaborate with other providers in town, we look forward to accommodating even more students.”

According to Dr. Freeman, the funding is considered state aid as opposed to a grant.

The nearly $20 million, which was included in the state’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget, is estimated to provide more than 1,200 additional children the opportunity to attend a high-quality preschool program. State-funded, high-quality preschool programs now exist in 293 New Jersey school districts – 229 of which have been established during the administration of Gov. Phil Murphy.

“Our investment in early childhood provides the youngest learners with a solid foundation for success,” Murphy said in a statement last month. “Today’s announcement builds on my ongoing commitment to expand early childhood education to more communities, with the long-term goal of ensuring every 3- and 4-year-old in the state has access to a high-quality preschool program.”

With the funding awarded to the 18 districts, the state is now providing 77,000 Garden State children with a state-funded, high-quality preschool program. 

“That’s a huge number of young lives whose futures will be broadened by our state’s efforts,” said Kevin Dehmer, Acting Commissioner of Education.

The Middlesex Borough district was the only one in either Middlesex or Somerset counties to receive preschool funding in the latest round of 18 awards.

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