Research shows that children who participate in high-quality preschool are more prepared for kindergarten, more likely to finish high school, and less likely to end up in prison than those who don't. But many parents don't have access to high-quality preschool programs.

With that in mind, the Illinois Early Learning Council has released its final Preschool for All report, providing a blueprint for the state's plans to make preschool available to every three- and four-year-old in Illinois. Following the recommendations of the report, the state will give first priority to preschool programs serving primarily at-risk children, followed by programs serving primarily children below a set income level. The Illinois State Board of Education will administer the process, except in Chicago, where the Chicago Public Schools will administer the program using the same criteria.

“The Preschool for All report shows the thinking, priorities and strategies that went into an initiative that is getting national attention,” says Harriet Meyer, co-chair of the Illinois Early Learning Council and president of the Ounce of Prevention Fund, a Joyce Foundation grantee. “We are building on what is right with our early childhood system, including the two-year preschool program, our emphasis on quality and a strong commitment to the notion that learning begins at birth.”

Recommendations from the report include:

• Preschool should be available for children with special needs.

• Preschool staff members should be highly qualified and participate in ongoing learning.

• Preschools should utilize proven, research-based curricula

• Families should be able to choose from a wide range of preschool settings.

The full report is available here.