The Daily Advertiser

Louisiana has been awarded nearly $8 million to enhance early childhood education across the state.

Approximately $7.1 million of the funding comes from a competitive federal Preschool Development Grant. About $800,000 comes from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation as part of a private match required by the grant process.

The one-year funding will expire in December 2019.

"In recent years, Louisiana has worked diligently to create an integrated, efficient early childhood education system through policies that better serve our children and families," said State Superintendent John White. "This award is a validation of the state's approach and sets us up to take ambitious next steps."

Education officials plan to use the funding to:

► Help communities to make informed decisions to improve local early care and education. In response to recent legislation, the Louisiana Department of Education will establish locally led pilot programs that will establish governing structures to guide local plans and funding for early childhood.

► Incorporate family homes into the statewide network of early childhood education providers. Many young children are cared for and educated in family home settings that are not currently part of the state's early childhood network. The department will research and study family homes to inform a strategic plan to ensure family homes have access the resources and support needed to provide high-quality learning.

► Enhance the quality of early childhood education provided to young learners. The department will expand professional development opportunities for teachers to ensure they are fully prepared for the classroom and to equip them with the curricular tools and resources needed to provide high-quality experiences to children.

► Improve systems that inform the statewide network of early childhood education providers. The department will conduct a study of the state's unified quality rating system and implement a program to build efficiencies by sharing resources across childcare sites, like shared substitute teacher pools or shared purchasing to maximize funding.

Early childhood education networks will receive sub-grants to support the roll-out of these initiatives. Sub-grants will total more than $3.75 million.