De Blasio says NYC ready for 50,000 pre-K kids
Unprecedented expansion even gets support from former Bloomberg staffers
The roll-out of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s signature full-day “Pre-K for All” program is on track, the city said on Thursday, with 50,407 children signed up so far. School starts Sept 4.
The massive effort received applause from state and city officials – and even from former Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s staffers.
Last year, only 20,000 children received full-day pre-K.
Teams of canvassers have worked all summer to connect with families of 4-year-olds, the city said. According to Department of Education (DOE) figures, roughly 53,000 kids will be signed up by the October 1st deadline for final registration.