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Ami Bah knows firsthand the importance of reliable, high-quality preschool and child care. 

She’s grateful that her three children have thrived at Indianapolis’ Park 100 Day Early Learning Center and that programs like Indiana’s On My Way Pre-K have helped make those experiences affordable. On My Way Pre-K is a state program that allows low-income families to use vouchers to send their 4-year-olds to any approved day care program.

“I was nervous about putting them in day care, but it just feels like family now,” the 34-year-old westside resident said. “There’s a sense of comfort when they’re there — honestly, a sense of love. I can tell the teachers really do care for them.”

A single mother who works in project management for a small construction company, Bah said the center prepared her oldest, 7-year-old Daina, for school, and she expects the same for Fatima, 5, and Jibreel, 1. “It’s a place that’s not just babysitting,” she said. “I want them to grow and develop skills.”

Decades of research, including studies of On My Way Pre-K, have shown that strong early education programs produce short-term and long-term benefits for children and families. And more Hoosier families are getting access to affordable, high-quality preschool thanks to an expansion of On My Way Pre-K approved this year by the Indiana General Assembly. Lawmakers expanded the income eligibility to qualify for the program from 127% to 150% of the poverty level, which is $45,000 for a household of four.

In Marion County, enrollment has grown to a record 2,168 children, a 35% increase from last year. Statewide, On My Way Pre-K now serves more than 7,500 children, a 27% increase.

But the program has plenty of room to grow. It serves fewer than 10% of Indiana 4-year-olds. Some states, including conservative states like Georgia, Oklahoma and West Virginia, enroll a majority of 4-year-olds in preschool, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research.

“There are states that have invested for a long time and have really broad participation,” said Maureen Weber, president and CEO of Early Learning Indiana, which operates 13 Day Early Learning Centers in Indianapolis and West Lafayette and advocates for pre-K policies. “Obviously, Indiana lags in that kind of investment, and so we have work ahead of us.”

Quality pre-K is expensive 

Along with On My Way Pre-K, some low-income families enroll their children in Head Start classrooms or get support from federal Child Care Development Fund vouchers. But high-quality pre-K programs, with small class sizes and qualified staff, are expensive: A typical program in Indianapolis can run $295 a week per student. And wages are typically low in the sector, leading to staff shortages and a lack of options for children.

To meet those challenges, Indiana launched On My Way Pre-K in 2015 as a pilot program in five counties. It grew to 20 counties in 2017 and went statewide in 2019. Limited funding and a lack of qualifying preschool providers moderated its growth, and the COVID-19 pandemic set the program back. With this year’s eligibility expansion, advocates say, it is back on track to steady, predictable growth.

“Are we where we ought to be? Absolutely not,” said Dianna Wallace, executive director of the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children. “But we’re moving in the right direction.”

Families apply for On My Way Pre-K; if they are approved and the children enroll, the state reimburses their preschools at local rates set by a state cost of care index. The state boosted reimbursement rates this year, which advocates credit for adding providers to the program. Preschools can participate if they achieve level 3 or 4 on Indiana’s Paths to Quality child care rating system, which means that, at a minimum, they use a curriculum that promotes learning, meet health and safety requirements and focus on young children’s growth and development.

Indiana spent $37.4 million on the program in the fiscal year that ended in June, according to state data, with 70% coming from federal dollars and the remainder from state appropriations.

Pre-K is crucial for student success

Studies by Purdue University’s Center for Early Learning found children who participated in On My Way Pre-K were better prepared for kindergarten and had stronger language skills than children who didn’t participate. By third and fourth grade, On My Way students had significantly higher math scores and somewhat higher language arts scores on Indiana’s ILEARN standardized tests.

“Seeing impacts that many years later from the program is really important,” said David Purpura, center director and a professor in Purdue’s Department of Human Development and Family Studies. 

He said the studies indicate the program is succeeding, but it could be improved by continuing to focus on instructional quality and the use of a strong, research-based curriculum.

“This age group is the foundation of all future learning,” he said. “What young children learn now, how strong these programs are, will impact their learning across their early years.”

Advocates have plenty of suggestions for improving the program: Increase funding and continue to expand eligibility. Strengthen the focus on quality. Keep working to recruit providers. Support education and training for teachers and aides. Expand the program to include 3-year-olds.

Another key could be loosening family requirements. The National Institute for Early Education Research counts Indiana as one of six states — along with Idaho, Montana, New Hampshire, South Dakota and Wyoming — with no state preschool program.

On My Way Pre-K isn’t counted because the program requires parents to be working, enrolled in school or receiving disability benefits for their children to participate, said Allison Friedman-Krauss, a professor at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education, where the institute is based. 

That suggests it is a child care program geared to parents rather than a preschool program focused first on education and development for children.

Indiana slow to embrace state funded pre-K

Despite the benefits of high-quality early childhood programs, Indiana has been slow to embrace them. In 2004, then Gov. Joe Kernan proposed state-funded preschool, but it took a decade for legislators to get on board. Some officials argued child care was a family responsibility, not for the government. 

But Wallace, with the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children, said it’s rare to hear that sentiment these days.

“I’ve worked with the legislature since around 1990, and there is a much deeper level of understanding and acknowledgment and respect today for the work that’s being done,” she said. “And that’s on both sides of the aisle.”

On My Way Pre-K is making a difference for parents like Ami Bah, whose daughter Fatima is enrolled in the program and is learning from caring and qualified staff.

“They do a lot of writing,” Bah said, “making sure she knows how to write her name, learning colors, ABCs. They do fun stuff like yoga. The basics of just getting them ready for kindergarten. I feel pretty confident she’s going to be able to keep up with school.”

For information on how to enroll in On My Way Pre-K, click here. 

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On My Way Pre-K hit record enrollment. That’s still fewer than 10% of 4-year-olds.

by Steve Hinnefeld, Mirror Indy
December 5, 2023

<h1>On My Way Pre-K hit record enrollment. That’s still fewer than 10% of 4-year-olds.</h1> <p class="byline">by Steve Hinnefeld, Mirror Indy <br />December 5, 2023</p> <p>Ami Bah knows firsthand the importance of reliable, high-quality preschool and child care.&nbsp;</p> <p>She’s grateful that her three children have thrived at Indianapolis’ <a href="https://dayearlylearning.org/locations/park-100/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Park 100 Day Early Learning Center</a> and that programs like <a href="https://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/on-my-way-pre-k/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indiana’s On My Way Pre-K </a>have helped make those experiences affordable. On My Way Pre-K is a state program that allows low-income families to use vouchers to send their 4-year-olds to any approved day care program.</p> <p>“I was nervous about putting them in day care, but it just feels like family now,” the 34-year-old westside resident said. “There’s a sense of comfort when they’re there — honestly, a sense of love. I can tell the teachers really do care for them.”</p> <p>A single mother who works in project management for a small construction company, Bah said the center prepared her oldest, 7-year-old Daina, for school, and she expects the same for Fatima, 5, and Jibreel, 1. “It’s a place that’s not just babysitting,” she said. “I want them to grow and develop skills.”</p> <p>Decades of research, including studies of On My Way Pre-K, have shown that strong early education programs produce short-term and long-term benefits for children and families. And more Hoosier families are getting access to affordable, high-quality preschool thanks to an expansion of On My Way Pre-K approved this year by the Indiana General Assembly. Lawmakers expanded the income eligibility to qualify for the program from 127% to 150% of the poverty level, which is $45,000 for a household of four.</p> <p>In Marion County, enrollment has grown to a record 2,168 children, a 35% increase from last year. Statewide, On My Way Pre-K now <a href="https://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/on-my-way-pre-k/on-my-way-pre-k-county-grant-enrollment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">serves more than 7,500 children</a>, a 27% increase.</p> <p>But the program has plenty of room to grow. It serves fewer than 10% of Indiana 4-year-olds. Some states, including conservative states like Georgia, Oklahoma and West Virginia, enroll a majority of 4-year-olds in preschool, according to the <a href="https://nieer.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Institute for Early Education Research</a>.</p> <p>“There are states that have invested for a long time and have really broad participation,” said Maureen Weber, president and CEO of Early Learning Indiana, which operates 13 <a href="https://dayearlylearning.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Day Early Learning Centers</a> in Indianapolis and West Lafayette and advocates for pre-K policies. “Obviously, Indiana lags in that kind of investment, and so we have work ahead of us.”</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/11272023_EarlyLearning_09-1024x717.jpg" alt="Kids play with creative toys at the Early Learning Center in Indianapolis " class="wp-image-1979" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kids play with creative toys at the Early Learning Center in Indianapolis on Nov. 27, 2023.</figcaption></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quality pre-K is expensive&nbsp;</h2> <p>Along with On My Way Pre-K, some low-income families enroll their children in Head Start classrooms or get support from federal Child Care Development Fund vouchers. But high-quality pre-K programs, with small class sizes and qualified staff, are expensive: A typical program in Indianapolis can run $295 a week per student. And wages are typically low in the sector, leading to staff shortages and a lack of options for children.</p> <p>To meet those challenges, Indiana launched On My Way Pre-K in 2015 as a pilot program in five counties. It grew to 20 counties in 2017 and went statewide in 2019. Limited funding and a lack of qualifying preschool providers moderated its growth, and the COVID-19 pandemic set the program back. With this year’s eligibility expansion, advocates say, it is back on track to steady, predictable growth.</p> <p>“Are we where we ought to be? Absolutely not,” said <a href="https://inaeyc.org/about-indiana-aeyc/inaeyc-staff/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dianna Wallace</a>, executive director of the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children. “But we’re moving in the right direction.”</p> <p>Families apply for On My Way Pre-K; if they are approved and the children enroll, the state reimburses their preschools at local rates set by a state <a href="https://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/provider-reimbursements/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cost of care index</a>. The state boosted reimbursement rates this year, which advocates credit for adding providers to the program. Preschools can participate if they achieve level 3 or 4 on Indiana’s <a href="https://www.in.gov/fssa/pathstoquality/info-for-families/levels-of-quality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paths to Quality</a> child care rating system, which means that, at a minimum, they use a curriculum that promotes learning, meet health and safety requirements and focus on young children’s growth and development.</p> <p>Indiana spent $37.4 million on the program in the fiscal year that ended in June, according to state data, with 70% coming from federal dollars and the remainder from state appropriations.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pre-K is crucial for student success</h2> <p>Studies by Purdue University’s Center for Early Learning found children who participated in On My Way Pre-K were better prepared for kindergarten and had stronger language skills than children who didn’t participate. By third and fourth grade, On My Way students had significantly higher math scores and somewhat higher language arts scores on Indiana’s ILEARN standardized tests.</p> <p>“Seeing impacts that many years later from the program is really important,” said <a href="https://hhs.purdue.edu/directory/david-purpura/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">David Purpura</a>, center director and a professor in Purdue’s Department of Human Development and Family Studies.&nbsp;</p> <p>He said the studies indicate the program is succeeding, but it could be improved by continuing to focus on instructional quality and the use of a strong, research-based curriculum.</p> <p>“This age group is the foundation of all future learning,” he said. “What young children learn now, how strong these programs are, will impact their learning across their early years.”</p> <p>Advocates have plenty of suggestions for improving the program: Increase funding and continue to expand eligibility. Strengthen the focus on quality. Keep working to recruit providers. Support education and training for teachers and aides. Expand the program to include 3-year-olds.</p> <p>Another key could be loosening family requirements. The <a href="https://nieer.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Institute for Early Education Research</a> counts Indiana as one of six states — along with Idaho, Montana, New Hampshire, South Dakota and Wyoming — with no state preschool program.</p> <p>On My Way Pre-K isn’t counted because the program requires parents to be working, enrolled in school or receiving disability benefits for their children to participate, said <a href="https://gse.rutgers.edu/faculty/allison-friedman-krauss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Allison Friedman-Krauss</a>, a professor at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education, where the institute is based.&nbsp;</p> <p>That suggests it is a child care program geared to parents rather than a preschool program focused first on education and development for children.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/11272023_EarlyLearning_11-1024x523.jpg" alt="Children play with toys at the Early Learning Center in Indianapolis." class="wp-image-1981" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Indiana launched On My Way Pre-K in 2015 in five counties. It grew to 20 counties in 2017 and went statewide in 2019. </figcaption></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Indiana slow to embrace state funded pre-K</h2> <p>Despite the benefits of high-quality early childhood programs, Indiana has been slow to embrace them. In 2004, then Gov. <a href="https://www.in.gov/governorhistory/by-year/joseph-e-kernan/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Joe Kernan</a> proposed state-funded preschool, but it took a decade for legislators to get on board. Some officials argued child care was a family responsibility, not for the government.&nbsp;</p> <p>But Wallace, with the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children, said it’s rare to hear that sentiment these days.</p> <p>“I’ve worked with the legislature since around 1990, and there is a much deeper level of understanding and acknowledgment and respect today for the work that’s being done,” she said. “And that’s on both sides of the aisle.”</p> <p>On My Way Pre-K is making a difference for parents like Ami Bah, whose daughter Fatima is enrolled in the program and is learning from caring and qualified staff.</p> <p>“They do a lot of writing,” Bah said, “making sure she knows how to write her name, learning colors, ABCs. They do fun stuff like yoga. The basics of just getting them ready for kindergarten. I feel pretty confident she’s going to be able to keep up with school.”</p> <p>For information on how to enroll in On My Way Pre-K, click <a href="https://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/on-my-way-pre-k/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.&nbsp;</p> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter" data-effect="slide"> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container"> <ul class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper"> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1983" data-id="1983" src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/11272023_EarlyLearning_13-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Kids play with creative toys at the Early Learning Center on Nov. 27, 2023, in Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1984" data-id="1984" src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/11272023_EarlyLearning_14-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Fatima Bah and teacher Patty Godinez play with a group of children at the Early Learning Center on Nov. 27, 2023, in Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1985" data-id="1985" src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/11272023_EarlyLearning_15-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">The Day Early Learning Center on Nov. 27, 2023, in Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1991" data-id="1991" src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/11272023_EarlyLearning_21-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">The Day Early Learning Center at 5735 W. 73rd St. in Indianapolis on Nov. 27, 2023.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1982" data-id="1982" src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/11272023_EarlyLearning_12-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Kids play with creative toys at the Early Learning Center on Nov. 27, 2023, in Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1978" data-id="1978" src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/11272023_EarlyLearning_08-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Five-year-old Fatima Bah spends time reading a book at the Early Learning Center on Nov. 27, 2023, in Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="Kids play with creative toys at the Early Learning Center in Indianapolis" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1979" data-id="1979" src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/11272023_EarlyLearning_09-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Kids play with creative toys at the Early Learning Center in Indianapolis on Nov. 27, 2023.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1980" data-id="1980" src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/11272023_EarlyLearning_10-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Kids play with creative toys at the Early Learning Center on Nov. 27, 2023, in Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="Children play with toys at the Early Learning Center in Indianapolis." class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1981" data-id="1981" src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/11272023_EarlyLearning_11-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Kids play with creative toys at the Early Learning Center on Nov. 27, 2023, in Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1976" data-id="1976" src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/11272023_EarlyLearning_06-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Five-year-old Fatima Bah spends time reading a book at the Early Learning Center on Nov. 27, 2023, in Indianapolis. </figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="A teacher and student play at an Indianapolis early-learning center" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1974" data-id="1974" src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/11272023_EarlyLearning_04-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Teacher Tajia Dawoudi and Amina Wilkins play in a classroom at Early Learning Center on Nov. 27, 2023, in Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1973" data-id="1973" src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/11272023_EarlyLearning_03-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Original works of art by students on display at the Day Early Learning Center on Nov. 27, 2023, in Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure> </li> <li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"> <figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-1971" data-id="1971" src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/11272023_EarlyLearning_01-scaled.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Cubbies store all of the students' needs for each day at the Day Early Learning Center at 5735 W. 73rd St. in Indianapolis on Nov. 27, 2023.</figcaption></figure> </li> </ul> <p><a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><a aria-label="Pause Slideshow" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause" role="button"></a></p> <div 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