PRE-K OUR WAY CO-HOSTS LOCAL MEETING WITH UNITED WAY OF NORTHERN NEW JERSEY ON EXPANDING PRESCHOOL ACCESS IN MORRIS COUNTY

DOVER, N.J. -- Pre-K Our Way, a nonprofit, statewide effort that helps New Jersey’s communities bring high-quality pre-k to their children, co-hosted a community meeting yesterday with the United Way of Northern New Jersey in Dover.

The meeting provided community members, parents, family members, United Way members, local elected officials, providers, educators, community and business leaders the opportunity to learn how they can use Pre-K Our Way to expand preschool access for three- and four-year olds to more communities throughout the state, and learn of ways to get involved in the community-led movement.

Although New Jersey has one of the most successful and high-quality public preschool programs in the country, fewer than 40 communities have access to one of these programs. Pre-K Our Way believes that where a child lives shouldn’t determine whether or not they have access to pre-k. An expansion of preschool under New Jersey law could bring high-quality, public programs to the community of Dover in Morris County.

“New Jersey has many challenges and important priorities, but our goal at Pre-K Our Way is to make preschool for New Jersey’s kids one of those priorities,” said Sam Crane of Pre-K Our Way. “Our state’s existing high-quality preschool program is built to adapt to each community, its children and their needs. Pre-K Our Way is working with local communities and organizations such as the United Way of Northern New Jersey to make preschool expansion a priority so that children in Morris County can be prepared for school, ready for success.”

United Way of Northern New Jersey is committed to changing people's lives and making a difference in each of the individual communities throughout the northern New Jersey region. Its purpose is to address local problems to improve conditions and make this a better place to live, work, and play for all of residents.

Photo Attachment: A member of the Pre-K Our Way team discusses the movement to expand pre-k to more communities in New Jersey with attendees of the community meeting in Dover co-hosted by Pre-K Our Way and the United Way of Northern New Jersey.

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Pre-K Our Way, a nonpartisan and nonprofit community-based organization, coordinated through a diverse group of business leaders, parents, foundations, early childhood educators, community leaders interested citizens and elected officials, engages communities on expanding NJ’s existing high-quality public preschool for their children. Visit our website at www.prekourway.org for more information.