Commission to study expanded access to preschool votes on report, recommendations

AUGUSTA — On Wednesday, the Commission to Study the Expansion of Public Preschool and Early Care and Education voted on its draft report and final recommendations. All recommendations were unanimously supported by the commission. 

The commission was formed through LD 1799, “An Act to Expand Maine’s High-quality Early Learning and Care for Children by Increasing Public Preschool Opportunities in Communities,” sponsored by Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, who serves as Senate co-chair of the commission. The House co-chair is Rep. Tavis Hasenfus, D-Readfield.

“Access to quality early education puts a young person on a path to success later in life. That means investing in early education and quality preschool is investing in Maine’s future prosperity,” said Sen. Vitelli. “As a former headstart teacher, the work of this committee is very important to me. I’m proud of all the work we’ve been able to do, and I look forward to the progress that comes next.” 

“By establishing the commission this year, the Legislature made a commitment to Maine’s future by prioritizing our children and their education,” said Rep. Hasenfus. “The commission worked hard to fulfill this commitment by identifying barriers to access and examining how to meet the diverse needs of communities across the state. The commission’s recommendations offer a framework for state government to follow through and implement our promise to our children and families, making early education more accessible for all kids.” 

Studies have regularly shown that public preschool programs and investment in high-quality early care and learning increase school readiness and lead to improved outcomes for students and families. The commission was charged with exploring a pathway to achieve an equitable, mixed-delivery public preschool system that could provide universal access for preschool-aged children and their families across Maine. LD 1799 set the timeline for that goal as: 60% by the 2024- 2025 school year; 80% by the 2025-2026 school year; and 100% by the 2026-2027 school year.

The commission’s report includes the following recommendations:

• Provide incentives and increase funding – both for ongoing costs and start-up costs – for public preschool programs
• Increase flexibility in early childhood education credentialing
• Facilitate coordination and outreach to increase public preschool partnerships
• Examine and address complications contributing to child care staffing shortages

A final version of the report will be available to the public on the commission’s web page in the coming weeks.