Free Universal Preschool Is Officially Coming To Lacey

LACEY, NJ — After months of waiting, Lacey parents finally have an answer. Yes, free universal preschool is coming to the Lacey Township School District.

Lacey, one of 26 districts selected, was the only Ocean County town in the latest batch receiving state funding to implement and expand preschool programs, the New Jersey Department of Education announced Wednesday.

The district is receiving $3,323,279 in Preschool Expansion Aid for the program. This will fund the program at no additional cost to the district or taxpayers.

The program will start by January 2024, according to state officials.

Parents and district officials alike have been waiting for a while to hear if the district was selected for the program - it was first announced in March that Lacey was looking to offer universal preschool.

While the district does currently offer preschool, the funding will allow for a free, full-day program for more students, with transportation and breakfast and lunch offered.

The district reconfigured for this school year, with preschoolers and kindergartners now being housed at Mill Pond School.

The Board of Education has a meeting on Oct. 19, with a preschool information session set for 4:30 p.m. for parents who pre-registered for the preschool expansion.

New preschool teachers are set to be hired, according to the meeting's agenda.

“Providing children with access to preschool programs not only sets our students up for success, but also yields both short- and long-term economic benefits for their families and communities,” said Acting Governor Tahesha Way. “By investing in preschool education, we are investing in our youth and in the future prosperity of New Jersey. Today's announcement is another step toward Governor Murphy’s goal of providing universal preschool and a brighter future for New Jersey's youngest learners.”