Parents of small children in Delaware and Madison counties can now begin applying for the state-funded pre-kindergarten program known as “On My Way Pre-K.”  IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann reports.

The state-funded preschool pilot program that began with five counties has been expanded this year.  Low-income families in 10 counties, including Delaware and Madison counties, can get state-funded grants to pay for preschool for their 4-year-old children beginning next January.

New this year to the state program is a work requirement.  Parents or guardians must be working or attending school or an accredited training program.  When the requirement was announced in June, Carrie Bale with the By5 Early Childhood Initiative said it would be barrier for some families in the area.

“In the first round three years ago, it was an income qualifier – and that was the only qualifier,” Bale says.  “With this new round coming out, it’s an income qualifier of 127 percent of poverty, plus the parents have to be working or going to school.  That’s going to be our challenge.”

If a family receives a state-funded grant, it can send a child to any preschool provider on a state-approved list that offers half-day or full-day classes.  An online map on the state’s website shows 10 provider locations in Delaware County and three in Madison County.

Five additional counties will take applications to begin sessions in the 2018-2019 school year.

According to numbers from the Family and Social Services Administration, about 6,700 4-year-olds in the new 15 counties will be eligible for the pre-k benefits.

To apply for On My Way Pre-K, click here.