RIDE to Expand State Pre-K System in Several Communities

The R.I. Department of Education announces the availability of funds and requests Letters of Interest from qualified vendors to expand the Rhode Island Pre-Kindergarten Program, with the goal of building and sustaining the expansion of a diverse delivery system of high-quality, state-funded prekindergarten programs across the state.

Eligible organizations or entities include licensed child-care centers, Head Start programs, public schools, and nonpublic schools able to operate a classroom meeting RIDE Comprehensive Early Childhood Education Program Approval Standards in the following Rhode Island communities: Bristol, Burrillville, Central Falls, Cranston, East Providence, Johnston, Middletown, Providence, Pawtucket, Newport, North Providence, Warren, Warwick, Westerly, West Warwick, and Woonsocket.

The award of grant funds is contingent upon the inclusion of the anticipated Rhode Island Pre-Kindergarten Program funds in the Fiscal Year 2014 state budget. The Rhode Island Funding Formula for aid to education includes an expansion plan for the Rhode Island Pre-Kindergarten Program, increasing the state investment each year for 10 years by up to $10 million per year.

The 2013-14 State Pre-Kindergarten Application is available online.