Charleston, W.Va. – Recent findings from the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) reveal that West Virginia has ascended from 6th to 4th place in the nation concerning preschool enrollment for 4-year-olds. This upward trajectory underscores the state’s dedication to early childhood education, as it continues to meet 9 out of 10 NIEER research-based quality benchmark standards.
Recognized as crucial for a child’s academic, social-emotional, and developmental progress, early childhood programs form an indispensable cornerstone of educational success and infrastructure. The Universal Pre-K system, spearheaded by the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE), stands as a testament to this commitment, extending programs across all 55 counties to cater to all 4-year-olds, along with select 3-year-olds, at no cost to families.
The 2023 State of Preschool Yearbook unveils that West Virginia reached 67% enrollment for 4-year-olds and 7% for 3-year-olds in state-funded preschools, marking a significant increase in total enrollment to 13,731 for the current year. Bolstering these efforts, state spending saw a rise of $4,097,211, reaching a total of $96,556,175, complemented by an additional $289,520 from federal COVID-19 relief funds, bolstering program support. Per child spending amounted to $7,053 during the 2022-2023 period, marking a modest uptick from the preceding year.
“West Virginia remains at the forefront of early childhood education, offering foundational learning opportunities for our most precious assets,” remarked State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt. “The impact of early learning reverberates through the growth and development of our children, shaping the future trajectory of the Mountain State. Access to pre-K education not only empowers families but also instills in students a lifelong pursuit of learning.”
