NYC Pre-K Receives Rave Reviews

By Casey Heely March 4, 2016

A significant number of New York families are more than satisfied with their experience with universal Pre-K, a survey reported by the New York Daily News revealed.

The survey, conducted between March and May of last year, by the independent firm Westat Research, involved 1,100 families with children participating in universal Pre-K classes and is part of a series of polls that will cost the city $2 million.

The results were overwhelmingly positive, as 90% of these families said they were happy with the program, and 83% said that their children learned “a lot.” In addition, a majority of participants said that the classes cut down on the money spent on child care and that their children had better behavior after attending the classes, among other indicators of the program’s success.

“Pre-K for All is a game changer for families across New York City, and our free, full-day, high-quality programs are putting students on the path to long-term success,” Chancellor Carmen Fariña told reporters.

The apparent success of these programs, as indicated by the survey results, gives some credence to Mayor de Blasio’s unique academic initiative of Pre-K for All. This initiative was created to give children an opportunity to develop academically and socially before kindergarten. The results of this survey come on the heels of the decision to extend the enrollment deadline to March 9.

To sign up your child, you can visit nyc.gov/prek, call 311 or visit a Pre-K welcome center in the city.

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