New Toolkit Helps Communities Improve Preschool Access

Finding the right preschool isn’t always easy. How can we make sure families have the options they need, where and when they need them?  It starts with understanding the preschool landscape, including where preschool options are limited and more accessible and what choices families have in finding a preschool that’s right for their child and family.  

The new Preschool Supply and Demand Toolkit, developed by the Strategic Data Project at Harvard University’s Center for Education Policy Research, provides practical tools and resources to help early childhood leaders and communities better understand how available preschool programs match what families need.

Denver Preschool Program (DPP) is thrilled to share this resource not only because it’s a much-needed tool for anyone in early care and education, but also because our Vice President of Evaluation and Learning,  Cristal Cisneros, Ed.D., participated in the two-year Harvard Center for Education Policy Research Fellowship that helped create this toolkit. As part of a national cohort of early childhood leaders, Cisneros shared learnings and insights from DPP’s nearly 20 years of helping Denver families access preschool to help inform how other communities explore data to guide their decisions in making preschool more accessible and equitable. 

In addition to Cisneros’ input and DPP’s insights, the toolkit features lessons learned from seven other early childhood agencies. It also provides a five-stage process for collecting and using data to identify gaps, understanding family preferences, improving planning and guiding future investments.

Why This Matters for Denver

At Programme préscolaire de Denver, our work is centered on helping all Denver families find and afford quality early childhood education. As we celebrate our 20th Anniversary, we’re committed to sharing what we learn with others while continuing to grow and adapt to meet the changing needs of Denver families.

Understanding preschool supply and demand helps communities answer important questions, like: 

• Where are quality preschool options limited? 
• Why and where do preschool deserts exist? 
• Which families face the greatest barriers in accessing quality preschool? 
• How can data help guide investments and strengthen the early childhood education system?

Through Cisneros’ participation in this national fellowship, DPP is proud to be part of a broader effort to turn data into meaningful action. Resources like this toolkit can help communities throughout the nation make thoughtful decisions that support children, families and early childhood educators.

Explore the Preschool Supply and Demand Toolkit to learn more about how communities can use data to create stronger, more equitable preschool systems. And learn more about Cisneros’ fellowship at the Harvard’s Center for Education Policy Research’s Strategic Data Project (SDP).