NJ A4561

School districts serving elementary grades must establish free, full-day preschool programs for three- and four-year-old children by the 2029-2030 school year

Districts without existing preschool programs must submit implementation plans to the Commissioner of Education by June 30, 2027

Districts may fulfill the requirement by entering sending-receiving agreements with adjacent districts that have preschool programs, rather than establishing their own

Preschool programs must meet high-quality standards set by the Commissioner and may be operated by the district or in partnership with licensed child care providers or Head Start programs

The bill lowers the age for free public education from five years old to three years old