Governor Andy Beshear is taking steps to increase education for Kentucky’s youth.
Beshear recently signed an executive order officially launching the Team Kentucky Pre-K for All Pilot Program.
Becoming Kindergarten Ready
The program, which was first introduced in May 2025, is dedicated to ensuring all Kentucky 4-year-olds have access to pre-K education.
After receiving approval from the local school boards, Robertson and Rockcastle counties are officially the first two communities to implement the pilot program.
“Kentucky’s economic success starts with the education and care of our children, which is why I am so proud today that we’re expanding access for 700 kids and their families across our commonwealth,” said Beshear. “In just one day, we created more childcare capacity than the legislature did this entire session – and this is progress we intend to build on, because we know our families and businesses need it.”
The full-day pilots serve as a first step in a phased, responsible path toward every Kentucky child having pre-K access.
Pre-K curriculum will begin for the 2026-2027 school year.
“Pre-K for All would help our children become kindergarten ready, strengthen our workforce and save our families money, but unfortunately the Republican supermajority refused to fund it this session,” said Beshear. “Today I took action, because Kentuckians – and especially our children – deserve better. I am grateful to leaders of Robertson and Rockcastle counties for taking this step with Team Kentucky. Together, we’re prioritizing what’s best for the kids, families and businesses in these communities.”
Helping Students & Parents
Leading up to the 2026-2027 budget session, Pre-K for All received widespread support from local, business and education leaders, as well as parents and families from across Kentucky.
Dr. Sanford Holbrook, Superintendent for Robertson County Schools, and Dr. Carrie Ballinger, Superintendent for Rockcastle County Schools, shared their excitement to be selected to pilot the program.
“Expanding pre-school is a no-brainer,” said Dr. Holbrook. “Pre-K for All will move Kentucky forward, get kids on the right track and help parents get to work. So, I’m over the moon excited for Robertson County to be one of the first districts in the Pre-K for All Pilot Program, and I would like to thank Gov. Beshear for his leadership on this and for putting public education first.”
“This pilot program will help us put a stop to the learning gap before it ever begins. Pre-K for All in Rockcastle County will provide students with a strong foundation, thus allowing our kindergarten teachers to spend less time on remediation and more time teaching,” said Dr. Ballinger. “As an educator, I have seen for myself the immediate and lasting effects of preschool. And for our Rockcastle County parents, this pilot program is going to provide much needed peace and financial relief. Rockcastle County Schools is extremely proud to participate in the pilot program as we build a brighter future one 4-year-old at a time.”
Support letters were sent directly to the General Assembly, including a letter from more than 150 business owners, 93 school superintendents, 46 local and regional chambers of commerce, and more.
Since the initiative was launched in May 2025, over 66,000 Kentuckians wrote to their state legislators asking them to support expanding preschool access.
Following numerous town halls held by Team Kentucky across the state, nearly 90% of participants voiced their support for more funding for Pre-K for All.
The Governor also announced the opening date for the Team Kentucky Early Learning Center and awarded $850,000 to expand daycare services in Daviess County.
Combined, these efforts will expand early education and childcare for nearly 700 children across the commonwealth.
To learn more, visit prek4all.ky.gov.
