In a significant stride towards providing affordable and high-quality prekindergarten opportunities to families in Maryland, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has announced three grant programs with a combined investment of over $35 million for prekindergarten programs across the state.
The grants, a part of the recently adopted Strategic Plan: Maryland Transforms, aim to bolster the early education system in the state and ensure that all Maryland students are socially, emotionally, and academically prepared for success in kindergarten.
Prekindergarten Expansion Grant & Maryland State Prekindergarten Grant: Through the Prekindergarten Expansion Grant and the Maryland State Prekindergarten Grant, MSDE has awarded a total of $28 million in funding to 53 public and private prekindergarten programs. This funding will allow the creation of 2,731 new prekindergarten seats and provide access to full-day prekindergarten for three and four-year-old children from low-income families.
The grants enable schools and early care and education programs to extend the school day from half-day to full-day, employ highly qualified and certified early childhood teachers, and cater to more children who might otherwise lack access to essential early childhood education.
One school that has benefitted greatly from the Prekindergarten Expansion Grant is the Goddard School in Owings Mills. Lisa Ann Dickinson, the program’s Grant Manager, expressed her gratitude, stating that the grant has allowed them to provide free prekindergarten education to 140 students, with an increased capacity of 40 prekindergarten spots this year.
Another recipient, Bright Beginnings Children’s Center in northern Calvert County, is thrilled about the opportunities the grant will offer to families in the area. They plan to implement a project-based inquiry curriculum to strengthen early language, literacy, and mathematical skills, along with a focus on social foundations and emotional learning. The program aims to engage students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), those from non-English-speaking households, and economically disadvantaged students.
Prekindergarten Capacity Building Grant: To further enhance the administration of high-quality prekindergarten programs, MSDE will introduce the Prekindergarten Capacity Building Grant on July 27, 2023. This competitive one-year, one-time grant will provide additional seats for eligible three- and four-year-olds across the state. Furthermore, it serves as a pathway for both local education agencies (LEAs) and private providers to qualify for the Maryland State Prekindergarten Grant or the Prekindergarten Expansion Grant in subsequent school years.
Recipients of the Prekindergarten Capacity Building Grant will receive targeted technical assistance and support in accessing additional teacher credentials and state-approved teacher certification to ensure high-quality instruction. MSDE’s Office of Early Learning and Instruction, in collaboration with Maryland EXCELS staff, will assist grantees in achieving a quality rating of at least 3 or 4, preparing them for future grants in fiscal year 2025.
Superintendent of Schools Mohammed Choudhury emphasized the importance of supporting prekindergarten providers for the success of children during their critical brain development years. The Prekindergarten Capacity Building Grant is designed to not only create more seats but also elevate the quality of every prekindergarten program, ensuring a robust early education system in Maryland.
