Vermont

Overview of Pre-K Program-Vermont Prekindergarten Education (Act 62)

Program is open to three- and four-year-old children living in a district that is participating in Act 62, regardless of income or risk factors.
Not every district is required to participate, so the program is not universally available.
Funds are distributed to public schools who can then subcontract to other preschool providers, including Head Start programs, private and faith-based centers, and family child care homes.
Beginning in 2009-2010 school year publicly funded prekindergarten programs are required to report child progress data. The districts may use the Creative Curriculum Developmental Continuum or the Work Sampling System.
Program is administered by the Vermont Department of Education.

Children are eligible if their family makes less than 185% FPL or if they have other risk factors such as developmental delay, history of abuse or neglect, limited English proficiency or social isolation.
Programs are funded through a competitive grant process. Public schools, faith-based centers, Head Start programs and private child care centers are eligible to apply.
Program is administered by the Vermont Department of Education.

1987 Vermont Early Education Initiative begun with a goal of increasing access to preschool programs for three- and four-year-old children at risk of school failure.
2003 Vermont launches second preschool initiative called Vermont Publicly Funded Prekindergarten. The program is now known as Vermont Prekindergarten Education or Act 62.
2007 Based on recommendations made by the Vermont Pre-Kindergarten Education Committee, pre-k is codified as part of the school funding formula, but a cap is placed on the number of children who can receive funding through the school funding formula.
2009 The Vermont Prekindergarten programs serve a total of 4,658 children.