Pre-K for All Pilot programs launch in Robertson and Rockcastle counties, with goal to add more in coming year
FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 7, 2026) – Today during his weekly Team Kentucky Update, Gov. Andy Beshear signed an executive order to launch the Team Kentucky Pre-K for All Pilot Program in Robertson and Rockcastle counties. 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.
“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 Gov. 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.”
After receiving approval from the local school boards Wednesday, the Governor also announced that Robertson – the smallest county in the state – and Rockcastle counties are officially the first two communities to implement the pilot program in the commonwealth. The full-day pilots serve as a first step in a phased, responsible path toward every Kentucky child having pre-K access, with curriculum beginning 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 the Governor. “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.”
Dr. Carrie Ballinger, superintendent for Rockcastle County Schools, and Dr. Sanford Holbrook, superintendent for Robertson County Schools, joined the Governor for the announcement along with children from Robertson County who will be enrolled in the Pilot 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,” Dr. Ballinger said. “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.”
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. Support letters were sent directly to the General Assembly, including:
- A letter from more than 150 business owners from across the commonwealth;
- A letter from 93 school superintendents representing over half of Kentucky’s school districts;
- A letter from 46 local and regional chambers of commerce and their presidents;
- A letter from the Kentucky Association of School Administrators (KASA), which represents 3,300 education leaders across the state; and
- Three letters from 63 county judge/executives, 34 mayors and the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents (KASS).
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.
To learn more, visit prek4all.ky.gov.
Team Kentucky Early Learning Center
On Monday, Gov. Beshear and Personnel Cabinet Secretary Mary Elizabeth Bailey announced the opening date for the Team Kentucky Early Learning Center. The two leaders recapped the announcement today, sharing that the center will open its doors in September of this year, providing a discounted childcare option for executive branch employees.
Initially, the center will have capacity to serve 92 children in Frankfort.
“I have spent my entire career as a state employee, over 30 years. During part of this time, I was also a single mom, so I understand the need for quality, affordable, dependable childcare as a working parent,” said Secretary Bailey. “Thank you, state employees, for continuing to make a difference, and thank you, Governor, for supporting them throughout your administration.”
To learn more, visit TeamKyChildcare.ky.gov.
$850,000 Expanding Childcare in Owensboro and Daviess County
To further expand childcare options across the state, the Governor awarded $850,000 to expand the daycare center at the YMCA of Owensboro/Daviess County. The local YMCA currently serves 90 children but today’s award, with funding made available through Team Kentucky’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, will increase capacity to serve a total of 161 children.
“Kentucky’s families deserve access to affordable, reliable and quality childcare, and the YMCA provides that,” said Gov. Beshear. “As a dad, I understand the urgency that we must work with to expand early education and childcare across our state, and my administration is working hard to deliver results for Kentuckians in all 120 counties.”
About the CDBG Program
The CDBG program helps communities revitalize neighborhoods, expand affordable housing and economic opportunities, provide infrastructure and/or improve community facilities and services. With the participation of their citizens, communities can devote these funds to a wide range of activities that best serve their own development priorities.
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