Home How We Help California's Children Power of Preschool
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Power of Preschool
 

One of First 5 California's priorities is making quality preschool available to every 4 year-old in California. That's why we're working with First 5 County Commissions throughout the state to invest nearly a billion dollars over the next few years to create opportunities for all children in California to attend a quality preschool. Research proves that quality preschool programs provide a big boost for children as they get ready for kindergarten and beyond.

Research also shows that families and communities benefit as well when children participate in quality preschool programs. Here's a snapshot of what we know:

  • The brain develops rapidly during the first five years and quality preschool programs can have a profound impact during this time.
  • Children who attend a quality preschool do better in elementary school and beyond, and have more success in reading and math.
  • As they grow, children who attended preschool are more likely to graduate from high school and find good jobs, and less likely to be involved in crime.
  • Preschool saves taxpayers money. Investing in preschool programs benefits society in the long-term in the form of reduced crime costs, welfare dependency and economic losses.

In July 2003, First 5 California invested $100 million in its voluntary Power of Preschool Program, leading efforts to help make sure that all children in California have equal access to quality preschool programs. The program's goal is to increase the number of high-quality preschool spaces for children in California, while at the same time providing demonstration projects in different parts of the state to help guide efforts to create a statewide preschool system.

First 5 Power of Preschool (PoP) is a high-quality, free, voluntary, part-day preschool program for all 4-year-olds (or 3- and 4-year-olds). The program assists children in becoming personally, socially, and physically competent, effective learners, and ready to transition into kindergarten. The long-term goal is to implement California's Master Plan for Education Preschool Recommendations (2002). The foundation for PoP was established by the First 5 School Readiness Program, by California's Master Plan for Education (2002) and by the Universal Preschool Task Force Report (1998).

First 5 Power of Preschool (PoP) Demonstration Projects

The First 5 California Children and Families Commission approved the Power of Preschool (PoP) Demonstration Projects funding in July 2003 and the criteria for selection and timeline for participation in January 2005. The First 5 PoP Demonstration Projects provide a common framework for financial and policy commitments and for quality standards with the goal of becoming part of California's public education system. Of the $100 million approved, $90 million will be used to contribute to County Commission PoP Demonstration Projects over five years for funding new and improved preschool spaces in school district(s), city, or countywide preschool 'systems' that include high quality providers in a variety of settings.  Currently nine counties participate as PoP Demonstration Projects.



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