For families in Southern Nevada, access to quality preschool education is being expanded through a $15.3 million scholarship initiative. This funding comes from the United Way of Southern Nevada (UWSN) and the Nevada Department of Education via the Nevada Ready! State Pre-K program. The scholarships will benefit 1,819 students, allowing them to enroll in preschool at no cost or at a reduced rate.
Since 2015, over 7,500 students have received free preschool education through this collaboration between UWSN and the Nevada Department of Education. Samuel Rudd, President and CEO of UWSN, emphasized the importance of early education by stating, “United Way of Southern Nevada is proud to expand our Nevada Ready! State Pre-K Program in partnership with the Nevada Department of Education and help more families access free quality preschool for their children. Early education is the foundation for success, and this program opens doors for students to thrive.”
Scholarships are distributed through qualified centers based on recommendations and referrals from childcare centers. These centers comply with Quality Rating Improvement Systems (QRIS) set by the state’s Department of Education.
A total of 48 preschools across Southern Nevada have been selected to receive funding for these scholarships. Some notable recipients include Acelero Learning centers in Henderson and Las Vegas, Bizzy Bee Daycare in Las Vegas, Brilliant International locations on Charleston Blvd., Bring’em Young Academy in North Las Vegas, Children’s Learn & Play centers on St. Louis Avenue and Walnut Road in Las Vegas among others.
This initiative represents a significant effort to improve educational opportunities for young children in Southern Nevada by reducing financial barriers to high-quality early childhood education.