Kentucky County Judge/Executives, Mayors, Superintendents Support Pre-K for All

The Kentucky General Assembly is being urged to expand access to pre-K for all 4-year-olds.

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(Frankfort, Ky.) - Last week, 63 county judge/executives, 31 mayors and the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents (KASS) all endorsed Gov. Andy Beshear’s Pre-K for All initiative, urging the Kentucky General Assembly to make expanding access to pre-K for all 4-year-olds a top priority in the 2026 Budget Session.

“The endorsement of Pre-K for All from these leaders – many of whom are Republicans – shows that expanding pre-K for every Kentucky 4-year-old should be a nonpartisan issue,” said Gov. Beshear. “Pre-K for All will help our children with academic success, save our families money, boost our workforce and help businesses thrive. I am grateful to these leaders for putting politics aside and prioritizing what’s best for our Kentucky families.”

The endorsements were made through three letters, each signed and delivered last week to members of the Kentucky General Assembly.

"As the leaders of Kentucky’s 120 counties, we know expanded preschool would save families money, boost our local economies, and be an investment in Kentucky’s long-term competitiveness," reads a portion of the letter.

Those endorsing the initiative say Pre-K can help ease the financial burden and boost household earnings by nearly $9,000 dollars each year for at least six years. Currently, only 14,000 of Kentucky’s 54,000 four-year-olds have access to Pre-K. 

Research shows Pre-K:

• Boosts Kindergarten Readiness: Over half (53.8%) of Kentucky children are already behind their first day of kindergarten. Pre-K for All would close that gap and make sure every Kentucky kid has a firm footing to start school.
• Expands the Workforce: Up to 70,000 Kentuckians are unable to work because they lack childcare. Pre-K for All will let parents reenter the Kentucky County Judge/Executives Support Pre-K for All October 9, 2025 Page 2 workforce and take advantage of local job opportunities in our counties across Kentucky.
• Raises Household Incomes: A long-term study shows that families with access to Pre-K earn nearly $9,000 more per year - gains that persist for years after their child completes Pre-K.
• Delivers a 10:1 Return on Investment: Every dollar invested in Pre-K yields ten dollars in return—from better jobs and health outcomes to reduced criminal justice costs and increased educational attainment.
• Creates Jobs in Education: Pre-K for All will generate demand for educators and support staff across the state, creating new careers, and helping attract talent to our counties.
• Expands Access Across Kentucky: With 79 of Kentucky’s 120 counties having little to no childcare available, this initiative will expand access, create job opportunities, give parents a choice, attract and retain young families, and lay the foundation for academic success.

Since the launch of the initiative in May, over 60,000 Kentuckians have written to their state legislators asking them to support expanding preschool access. Following numerous town halls held by Team Kentucky across the state, nearly 90% of participants voiced their support for more funding for preschool.

To learn more about the benefits of Pre-K for All and to see how you can get involved, visit prek4all.ky.gov.