Georgia

Overview of Pre-K Program-Georgia Pre-K Program

Universally open to all four year old in Georgia.
Voluntary program for families and providers.
All providers must follow the Bright from the Start Pre-K Operating Guidelines and Georgia Pre-K Content Standards.
Offered in a variety of settings including Head Start Agencies, private child care settings, public schools, colleges and universities and faith-based settings.
Funded by lottery funds through the state and private initiatives.
Public/Private partnership.
Formative hands-on management directly from the Governor
Administered by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.

The mission of the Georgia Early Learning Initiative is to improve the quality of early care and education, so that Georgia’s children are better prepared for school.
Funded through state funds and private monies.

1992 Bright from the Start begins as a pilot program serving 750 at-risk four-year-old children and their families at 20 sites.
1993-1994 Georgia begins using lottery funds to provide for the Bright from the Start Pre-K program (at this point had more than 8,700 at-risk four-year old children in the program).
1995 Program opened to all eligible four-year old children.
(1994-95 served 15,500 children, 1995-96 school year served 44,000 children)
1999 Georgia Early Learning Initiative is created.
2009 78,310 children served statewide.