Tanya Gillespie-Lambert, director in Camden, New Jersey, actively promotes free preschool through community outreach and events, aiming to inform families about available services starting at age 3, regardless of potty training status and at no cost. Despite expansions of state-funded preschool programs in 44 states, many eligible children are still not enrolled due to limited hours of service, financial barriers for before- and after-care, transportation issues, and opposition from private providers receiving state funds. Universal preschool definitions vary widely, with some states offering minimal hours per week, highlighting challenges in achieving widespread access to quality early education.
