Number Of Applications For State's Pre-K Pilot Exceeded Expectations

Families had until Monday to apply for On My Way Pre-K, the state’s preschool pilot program that will launch its initial phase in four counties in January. The number of entries far exceeded expectations, as well as capacity.  

By mid-afternoon on Monday, about 800 applications had come in to the Family and Social Services Administration from families interested in taking part in the pilot.

That number more than doubled overnight, according to FSSA spokeswoman Marni Lemons.

The state originally intended to enroll between 350 and 400 children in Allen, Lake, Marion and Vanderburgh counties during this first phase of the program. But Lemons says due to the high interest, the FSSA will try to gauge whether they can make room for a few extra families.

Available spots are limited in this early launch because only a portion of interested providers meets the requirements to participate – specifically, a Level 3 or 4 ranking on the state’s Paths to QUALITY system.

Providers still have a chance to reach that benchmark and get involved before the pilot’s full launch in August 2015.