Op Ed: Utah Families Can Access Pre-K Learning Opportunities

This op-ed was originally published by The Standard Examiner.

When it comes to early education, Utah families care about their kids starting strong. A recent expansion of full-day kindergarten in Utah shows a $60 million investment is paying off. The enrollment in optional full-day kindergarten increased from just 34% to 77% of students participating in full-day learning. As a result, test scores increased, reading proficiency improved and students grew in confidence, preparing them for future success in education. However, many families still aren’t aware of the resources available to prepare their children for kindergarten.

Kindergarten readiness has become an important metric for student success. “Lower levels of kindergarten readiness are associated with poorer academic outcomes from elementary to high school,” according to The National Center for Education Statistics.

The first five years of a child’s development are critical to their health, well-being and overall lifetime learning trajectory. However, in the U.S., 2.2 million children do not have access to public-funded early education. That’s nearly half of America’s 4-year-olds.

Starting at age 4, young learners in Utah can use public-funded programs to learn reading, science and math. The state of Utah has partnered with Waterford.org, a Utah-based early education nonprofit, to offer the Waterford Upstart program to every child so they can prepare for kindergarten.

Ryan Starks, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, said the investment in pre-K learning helps Utah create strong communities that support the next generation.

“Utah is proud to support initiatives that foster long-term economic growth,” Starks said. “Investing in early education equips our youth with long-term academic and professional success. High-quality pre-K education contributes to vibrant, prosperous communities, empowering future generations to drive economic growth and build thriving communities.”

Caregivers and families are a child’s first teachers, which is why it’s so important that they know what resources are available for pre-K learners.

“Our goal is to build strong relationships and partnerships with families, educators and the community so that all children in Utah can start kindergarten with the reading, math and science skills they need to be successful,” said Matt Hill, CEO of Waterford.org.

Since 2018, more than 126,000 children in Utah have used Waterford Upstart.

Anju Thapaliya, program manager of strategic initiatives at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, said she’s been using the Waterford Upstart program with her 4-year-old son.

“I’ve already noticed improvements in his learning skills, which has been amazing to see,” she said. “I highly recommend this program to all pre-K children in Utah as this is a state-funded program. It’s a great way to set them up for success in kindergarten and beyond.”

With the support of guardians, educators and trusted voices, we can build structures that foster healthy partnerships between home and school, and create equal opportunities for learners to reach their full potential regardless of identity or background. We must raise awareness of these opportunities so more families can use them to help their children reach their full potential and achieve future success.

Registration for 4-year-olds in Utah is open until Jan. 31, 2025. Register your child for Upstart here.