January 13, 2025
“Increasing access to universal pre-kindergarten is an ongoing nationwide issue, and North Carolina is no exception to the struggles faced by other states in their efforts to ensure that all children arrive at kindergarten ready to learn. … The current push to ensure that all families have access to public pre-kindergarten programs is based on the understanding that early childhood education is an essential investment in all children’s futures. It benefits all children, including those with enriched home environments, because pre-kindergarten provides opportunities to learn skills that prepare children for school routines and expectations, such as lining up and receiving group instructions.”