By Brenna Keller
NKyTribune associate editor
Governor Andy Beshear visited the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce to advocate for Pre-K for All, explaining that the goal of the Team Kentucky Pre-K for All Program is for all 4-year-olds in Kentucky to have access to publicly funded preschool.
Northern Kentucky native Sam Flynn serves as program Executive Director.
Pre-K for All has been endorsed by 46 local and regional chambers of commerce in the state. Kentucky’s workforce could grow by up to 70,000 if parents do not need to stay home to care for children. Families of children attending preschool could also make about $9,000 more per year.
Over half of Kentucky children entering kindergarten are not kindergarten ready. Gov. Beshear noted that most families cannot afford Pre-K.
According to Gov. Beshear, the revenue from sports betting could be used to fund Pre-K for All. Although Pre-K for All is in the governor’s proposed budget, it is not in the budget passed in the House. This is not a political issue, he says, because “4-year-olds don’t vote.” He believes that not passing Pre-K for All would be a loss for Kentucky children.
Brent Cooper, President and CEO of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the Pre-K for All Advisory Committee. He noted that the local business community is focused on growing, attracting, and retaining talent. Cooper stated that a former Chamber employee moved to Florida and received $10,000 a year for childcare.
Cooper referred to the “co-opetition” (combination of cooperation and competition) between Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Cincinnati has had Preschool Promise since 2016.
Gov. Beshear expressed gratitude for the Northern Kentucky Chamber’s support of Pre-K for All. He touted the economic growth in the region. According to Beshear, Pre-K for All will help ensure the workforce pipeline remains strong.
Other speakers from local government, education, and business also provided perspectives on Pre-K for All.
Dayton Mayor Ben Baker quoted noted basketball coach John Wooden, “it takes time to create excellence. If it could be done quickly, more people would do it.” According to Baker, we should be investing time in our children’s education.
Jason Steffen, Superintendent of Ludlow Independent Schools, discussed the success Ludlow has had adding universal preschool. For the past 12 years, every 4-year-old can attend preschool, not just students with disabilities and the economically disadvantaged. They have also added in-school daycare to help working parents. Steffen noted that students entering kindergarten are at grade level and are accustomed to learning and following directions, leading to fewer disciplinary issues.
Adrian Hothem, the president and CEO of the family-owned manufacturer Camco Chemical also discussed the importance of investing in the workforce of the future. He said that Pre-K for All is “the single greatest infrastructure investment that we could ever make that’s going to fuel the economy, support our businesses, make Northern Kentucky, and make Kentucky as a whole, prosperous.”
Michele Tibbs, owner of Covington-based small business Grainwell, similarly emphasized the impact Pre-K for All would have on her business. Her team is all women, many of whom have small children or want children in the future. She has seen firsthand the importance of consistent and reliable childcare for keeping parents in the workforce.
The governor closed the event by once more emphasizing that Kentucky is at a competitive disadvantage when it comes to Pre-K options. Cincinnati has Pre-K. West Virginia has had Pre-K for 20 years.
Gov. Beshear joked, “This is the only time I ever want to say we are 20 years behind West Virginia.”
The overall message from the speakers was that Pre-K for All not only helps children by preparing them for school, but it also helps keep parents in the workforce. In turn, it is an asset that can help businesses attract and retain talent, fueling economic growth.