LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The United Way of Southern Nevada is expanding its “Nevada Ready! State Pre-K Scholarship Program” to include Licensed Family Child Care providers in Nevada.
The pilot program will offer 50 tuition scholarships for at least two eligible 4-year-olds in an eligible child care program, from August 1, 2025 to December 30, 2025.
“These scholarships with help these centers with tuition support for their families, families have been struggling with meeting the needs of tuitions within the valley, it will also provide technical assistance, mentoring for their educators, administrators,” said Julie Houchins, senior director of early education, .
There are more than 100 family childcare centers in Southern Nevada.
“Long-term goal is we are working toward universal Pre-K, so through these scholarships and these opportunities that we have been working on over the past ten years,” she said. “We are looking at Pre-K opportunities for all children in the near future.”
Currently, the state’s funded program only offers preschool in some locations and families must meet certain requirements.
“90 percent of their brain is developed by the time they are five years old, so the more that they have these hands on learning experiences we are setting them up for success, for Kindergarten, lifelong learners, hopefully to become young, successful adults in our community,” she added.
Childcare care centers need to be participating in the quality rating improvement system. To apply for the program, contact the United Way of Southern Nevada.
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