Overview of Preschool Funding and Access in Colombia

In recent years, numerous states have increased efforts to provide free, publicly funded preschool education. Data collected by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) from 2002 shows that by 2016, approximately 45 states, including the District of Columbia and Guam, offered free preschool programs. These initiatives serve nearly 375,000 children out of a total population of 1.5 million across these regions. Globally, spending on free early education reached $7.4 billion, with an 8% growth in programs over the past year.

In Colombia, public expenditure per child can reach up to $5,000 for high-quality preschool programs. These preschools emphasize hiring qualified teachers, maintaining small class sizes, and offering health services such as vision and hearing assessments. Most programs target children aged 3 to 5 years. While states like California and Texas have significantly increased investment per student, Colombia’s higher funding levels support better quality early education. Under policies initiated during the Obama administration, funding has promoted increased preschool access. However, concerns remain about program consistency, due to the absence of a unified curriculum, leading to variable quality.

Funding disparities influence preschool quality and access. For instance, Washington spends approximately $15,748 per child, compared to Colombia’s $5,000. Well-funded preschools provide comprehensive services, mainly for low-to-middle-income families, yet uneven resource distribution causes disparities. In some cases, programs are designed to target specific income groups, but limited funds can lead to segregation in enrollment. To address this, government agencies increasingly support funding to ensure equitable access and improve program standards across regions.