Capitol Letters: Iowa ranks fifth in the nation, leading Midwest in preschool access for four-year-olds

State Rep. Megan Jones

In a newly released national report, Iowa maintains its top five ranking in preschool access for four-year-old children. The state’s national ranking in preschool access for three-year-old children also gained new ground, rising from 22nd to 21st place.

Each year, the National Institute for Early Education Research’s (NIEER) State of Preschool Yearbook provides a critical snapshot of preschool education in the United States. The 2023-24 school year set national records for state enrollment and funding for preschool programs, primarily serving four-year-old children. Nationally, enrollment reached 37% for four-year-olds and 8% for three-year-old children. In comparison, 67% of Iowa’s four-year-old children and 6% of three-year-olds were served in state-funded preschool programs.

For Iowa, the NIEER 2024 State of Preschool Yearbook noted the following results:

• Iowa’s two state-funded preschool programs showed an enrollment of 28,189.
• State spending totaled nearly $97,000,000, up 1% since last year.
• State spending per child equaled $3,735, up $49 from 2022-23.

Iowa’s Shared Visions Preschool Program and the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program for Four-Year-Old Children support access to preschool programs for families across the state. Shared Visions programs provide quality child development programs for children at-risk in 29 Iowa counties. The preschool programs serve children ages three to five.

Established in 2007, the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program for Four-Year-Old Children, aims to give every young child in Iowa an opportunity to build a strong foundation for learning. Children who are four-years-old on or before Sept. 15 can enroll and attend quality preschool programs at no cost.