TRENTON — A new bill introduced in the New Jersey Legislature aims to expand access to free, full-day kindergarten by establishing a one-time grant program for school districts currently lacking such programs.
Sponsored by Assemblyman Robert D. Clifton of District 12, the proposed legislation would direct the Commissioner of Education to create and manage the grant program, allocating $5 million from the state’s General Fund to support the effort.
To qualify, school districts must submit an application that includes a detailed plan for implementing a full-day kindergarten program, along with a cost estimate. If approved, the district would receive a portion of the appropriated funds. The bill mandates that the funding be distributed evenly among the ten eligible districts.
The districts identified as not currently offering free, full-day kindergarten during the 2024–2025 school year are: Moorestown Township, Haddonfield, Metuchen, Monroe Township, Millstone Township, the School District of the Chathams, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional, Hillsborough Township, Cranford, and Westfield.
Each of these districts stands to receive $500,000 in state funding, pending application approval and availability of funds.
“The Commissioner of Education shall establish a one-time grant program to support the implementation of free, full-day kindergarten programs in school districts that… do not offer free, full-day kindergarten,” the bill states.
The legislation takes effect immediately upon passage.
