The Denver Preschool Program, which has collected tax revenue for about 10 months, is ready to begin cutting checks, according to a member of the program’s board of directors.
“We have kids and applications, and we will be set up to write the first checks in October,” said Gloria Higgins, president of the seven-member board overseeing the program.
The preschool program will provide parents of 4-year-olds who live in Denver a tuition credit to use at approved preschools in the city.
The idea is to enroll more kids into early-childhood education, which research has shown provides significant educational and social benefits. The program is expected to be fully functional by January.
“Early education can have tremendous benefits,” Higgins said. “I am optimistic that through the programs we have set in place that we will become a national model in early-childhood education and how communities can respond.”
Voters in November narrowly approved paying for the program through a sales-tax increase of 1.2 cents on every $10 purchase. The tax is expected to generate $10.6 million by year’s end.
Officials say 95 percent of the first-year revenue will be used to pay for tuition credits and to help preschools improve their quality – roughly $6.2 million for tuition and $2.3 million for quality- improvement efforts.
The program has been presented to 68 providers, and 35 so far have expressed interest in signing up. Officials believe about 1,200 slots are available in those programs.
Officials estimate about 4,000 4-year-olds are eligible for the program in Denver. They hope about 65 percent will enroll in the voluntary program.
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