As parents, we know that when children have access to preschool they are more likely to develop social, emotional, and intellectual skills that will last a lifetime. Expanding free public preschool in Lakeville, MN, addresses critical educational and economic needs by closing the achievement gap, preparing children for kindergarten, and easing the heavy financial burden on working families in the Twin Cities south metro. 
Why Lakeville Needs Expansion
  • Kindergarten Readiness: High-quality early education ensures that all children, regardless of socioeconomic background, enter elementary school with foundational literacy and social skills. 
  • Relieving Cost Burdens: With average childcare costs in Minnesota exceeding $20,000 per year, free public preschool saves local families thousands of dollars annually, preventing workforce attrition caused by unaffordable care. 
  • Long-Term Economic ROI: Early investment significantly reduces future societal costs, including the need for special education, public assistance, and remedial programs. 
How Federal Grants Would Fund the Expansion
Lakeville Area Schools (ISD 194) and local childcare partners can tap into several primary federal funding streams to subsidize this expansion:
  • Preschool Development Grants (PDG B-5): Administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and managed locally via the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, these grants help states build infrastructure, improve quality, and expand programs in high-need areas. 
  • Title I Funds: School districts can allocate a portion of federal Title I money—intended for low-income schools—to support preschool programming for at-risk students.
  • Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF): Federal CCDF block grants provide subsidies that can be blended with state pre-K funding to support a mixed-delivery system. This allows public schools to contract with private, community-based childcare providers in Lakeville. 
  • Head Start & Early Head Start: Direct federal grants can expand Head Start or Early Head Start slots directly within the Lakeville community for eligible low-income families.