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Preschools get to work on business of going full-time
Published: Monday, June 23, 2008
LINWOOD - Public preschool is expanding in New Jersey, and it's not just going to affect school districts.Cynthia Rice, of the Association for Children of New Jersey, met with private preschool providers and some school officials last week at the Atlantic County Women's Center to talk about the potential effects the new state funding formula will have on their schools. It could be a great opportunity for private pre-schools to partner with public schools, but only if they are proactive and prepared.Full-day preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds began with the 31 urban Abbott districts. But almost 49 percent of all poor children in the state don't live in an Abbott district. Under Gov. Jon S. Corzine's plan to reach those children, preschool will be expanded over the next five years to all poor children no matter where they live. The poorest districts will be required to offer preschool to all 3- and 4-year-olds. The rest will have to provide it for all children eligible for the free and reduced meal program.Many districts already have a half-day program for 4-year-olds. The 2008-09 school year is a planning year for the expansion to full-day programs, and Rice said private preschools have to get involved now. "There will be a lot more paperwork," Rice said. "But it is still a great opportunity."
ships, Little Egg Harbor Township and eight townships in Cumberland County to the list of districts offering full-day preschool.The biggest question is where they will put the children. Expanding a half-day program to full-day requires both space and teachers certified in early childhood education. Some teaching staff at private schools might have to go back to college.Rice said there are still unanswered questions about space requirements and giving private preschool teachers time and some funding to get certified. Those attending the workshop said getting the course work has been difficult in Atlantic County because of a lack of college programs. Contacted after the meeting, Harvey Kesselman, Dean of Education at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, said the school is developing an early childhood certification program for preschool through third grade.Rice said the school districts are under no obligation to partner with private preschools, but it may be the best option for districts with no extra space or just a few eligible students. "Not all superintendents are comfortable with collaboration," Rice said. "Private providers will need to advocate for themselves. You may have to convince the district to do it."Teacher Susan Bishop and director Donna Michael, of the Absecon Nursery School, said they get children from Absecon and Galloway Township and have already met with school officials about the public program. The big issues for them are the curriculum and the potentially time-consuming paperwork."We're still just getting all the information," Bishop said.To e-mail Diane D'Amico at The Press:DDamico@pressofac.com