Lawmakers at the State Capitol are renewing efforts to expand early childhood education, with a proposal aimed at making pre-kindergarten accessible to every four-year-old in Kentucky.
Supporters of the “pre-K for all” initiative say early education plays a critical role in preparing children for kindergarten. They point to research showing that age four is a key period for language development, fine motor skills, and problem-solving abilities.
Currently, more than half of Kentucky children are not considered kindergarten-ready on their first day of school.
State Representative Anne Gay Donworth is sponsoring House Bill 574, which would establish universal eligibility for public preschool for all four-year-olds in the Commonwealth. The proposal would begin by prioritizing families earning up to 160% of the federal poverty level, ensuring that children with the greatest needs receive services first. The plan would then expand in phases through community partnerships with the long-term goal of full statewide access.
Advocates argue that expanding pre-K could also strengthen Kentucky’s workforce by enabling more parents to return to work while their children receive early educational support in a structured setting.
While the proposal has drawn support from educators, business leaders, and local officials, lawmakers continue to debate its path forward as discussions around early childhood education unfold at the Capitol.