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Parent committee lauds rapid expansion of inclusive Pre‑K; urges staff to add staffing and after‑school access
Summary
The Pre‑K and Early Head Start Parent Policy Committee reported increased Pre‑K slots and a near‑20‑fold growth in inclusive classrooms over two years, while urging the board to add Pre‑K to school staffing formulas, expand after‑school childcare options and continue program expansion to reduce waitlists.
Representatives of the Pre‑K and Early Head Start Parent Policy Committee presented their 2025–26 annual report at the June 23 work session, detailing program growth, demographics and three formal recommendations for the school board.
The committee’s representative said Fairfax County Public Schools now serves roughly 2,378 Pre‑K students in full‑day slots and operates 48 Early Head Start slots for pregnant mothers and children up to 30 months. The committee highlighted a rapid expansion of inclusive Pre‑K classrooms — from seven inclusion classrooms three years ago to 133 this year — a shift driven by state eligibility changes and local efforts to pair special‑education and general‑education instruction.
Staff presented enrollment and demographic data: a large share of Pre‑K students are multilingual learners, about 20% were identified with disabilities and the program serves families across income bands using federal, state and higher local income thresholds (the county may serve families at up to 350% of the federal poverty level in limited circumstances). The committee said more than 5,200 families applied for the 2,246 available slots this year and 404 students remained on waitlists when school ended.
The committee advanced three recommendations to the board:
• Include Pre‑K students in school‑based staffing formulas so Pre‑K classrooms receive consistent access to specials (music, PE, art) and common planning time for co‑teaching models;
• Provide access for Pre‑K students to after‑school childcare/enrichment at school sites (for working families who need full‑day care and coverage on teacher workdays);
• Continue funding program expansion to reach more families and reduce waitlists, including consideration of expanded eligibility for families who experience job loss or medical emergencies.
Board members asked staff for follow‑up data on slot distribution by region and about the feasibility of offering after‑school care and adding Pre‑K to staffing formulas; Dr. Presidio said facilities and staffing reviews are underway and preliminary planning for new site openings is a priority for the coming budget cycle.
The committee emphasized the wraparound services Pre‑K and Head Start provide — family support, health and nutrition, and early special‑education services — and urged continued funding to scale access.
The board did not take immediate action on the recommendations but requested staff return with analyses of staffing, facility availability and cost implications.
