Philly Pre-K Providers Answer Call For New Seats
by Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- As Philadelphia gears up to expand pre-kindergarten citywide, 85 early childhood centers have applied to provide new slots for pre-schoolers.
Education officials are pleased with the level of interest.
Mayor Kenney's education chief, Otis Hackney, says 85 applications is more than the city expected.
"I'm very thrilled with the response that we have. We have providers from all over the city, different zip codes," said Hackney.
Hackney says different levels of provider are represented too, from larger groups to small family centers, including some that have never been rated by the Keystone Star process.
The city will require three or four stars for a provider to partner with the city on expansion, and Hackney says he's pleased that some smaller centers are aiming to be included.
"They have really embraced the idea of improving," he said.
Volunteer evaluators will now review the applications and make site visits with the goal of offering 2,000 new seats by January.
Pre-K seats are still available for September through the Philadelphia School District.