Idaho AEYC awards grants to support development of community preschools

Fifteen communities across the state are set to receive grant funding through the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children’s Preschool the Idaho Way project.

The grants range from $5,000 to $10,000 and will support community preschool collaboratives as they develop plans to create, expand or enhance early learning programs for 4- and 5-year-olds.

Each of the Preschool the Idaho Way grant recipients have already identified at least three collaborative partners. The leads for each community collaborative are:

United Way of Southeastern Idaho – American Falls Blackfoot School District – Blackfoot United Way of North Idaho – Coeur d’Alene Giraffe Laugh – Garden City Jerome School District – Jerome Kendrick-Juliaetta Joint School District – Kendrick Get Ready to Learn Kuna! – Kuna Lewis-Clark State College KinderCollege – Lewiston Marsing School District – Marsing Nampa School District – Nampa Treasures Playschool – Notus Storybook Cottage LLC – Priest River BYU-Idaho Child Labs – Rexburg Jefferson School District – Rigby College of Southern Idaho – Twin Falls

“We are so impressed by the dedication of these collaboratives, and we’re excited to work with them as they develop preschool opportunities that fit the unique needs of their communities,” said Idaho AEYC Executive Director Beth Oppenheimer. “Preschool the Idaho Way is all about creating local solutions for local families, not a one-size-fits-all approach.”

Idaho is one of only four states in the country that does not currently invest in public preschool options.