Nevada is at a crossroads.
We face rising housing costs, a shifting workforce, and mounting pressure on families trying to make ends meet.
But one issue sits at the heart of all these challenges—and offers a powerful solution: affordable, high-quality early childhood
education.
I am mother of six sons, an educator who was able to teach all of my children in either Pre-K or Kindergarten and give them a strong start in their early education.
They were set up for a path to success in early literary, mathematics, and social skills.
My grandson was also fortunate to attain a seat in UNLV’s Pre-K program and have this same support to ensure his future success in school.
Sadly, many of our Nevada students are seeking these same supports but are not always able to access them.
As the cost of child care continues to outpace wages, a new bipartisan poll reveals something that should make lawmakers sit up and listen: Nevadans across the political spectrum overwhelmingly support major investments in children and families—including increased funding for universal pre-K.
The survey, conducted by the Program for Public Consultation at the University of Maryland, found that 80 percent of Nevadans support increased federal funding for universal preschool, with support from 94 percent of Democrats and 67 percent of Republicans.
That kind of cross-party consensus is rare—especially in a swing state like ours.
But it reflects a deep, shared concern: families are stretched too thin, and it’s time for meaningful support.
A Shared Struggle, A Shared Solution
Steven Kull, director of the Program for Public Consultation, points to why these views are so widespread: the rising cost of living and raising children.
Compared to the pandemic era, when enhanced support helped reduce child poverty and stabilize families, many parents now feel the financial strain more than ever.
The rollback of that support has created a clear contrast—and fueled growing demands for government action.
Nevadans are calling for policies that will make a real difference and central to it all is universal preschool—a powerful, proven tool that not only benefits children but strengthens the economy, supports parents, and reduces long-term costs to the state.
Nevada Can’t Afford to Wait
Only 7 percent of 4-year-olds in Nevada are currently enrolled in state-funded pre-K, one of the lowest rates in the nation.
Our current program only serves families under 200 percent of the poverty line—leaving out thousands of children who would benefit from early education but whose families make just enough to fall through the cracks.
This gap doesn’t just hurt children; it limits our workforce. When families can’t afford preschool or child care, parents—especially women—are pushed out of the job market.
That’s not just a personal loss; it’s an economic one. Expanding access to pre-K helps families thrive, businesses retain talent, and communities grow stronger.
A High-Return Investment
We’ve known for years that high-quality early education yields a powerful return on investment.
Children who attend pre-K are more likely to graduate, earn higher wages, and avoid contact with the criminal justice system.
Every dollar spent on early childhood education can save up to $7 in long-term costs.
That’s why support for proposals to help cities and states expand preschool programs is gaining traction.
In the poll, Nevadans were given both arguments for and against the proposal—yet still backed it by a wide margin. One respondent put it plainly: “I don’t see why investing $25 billion in early education would ever be a bad thing.”
We agree.
What Nevada Needs Now
Nevada has a rare opportunity to lead—to not just talk about the importance of education, but to act on it.
That means:
- Expanding access to free, high-quality pre-K for all families, not just the very poorest.
- Increasing pay and training for early childhood educators, who are often undervalued despite the critical role they play.
- Supporting working families with flexible, affordable child care options that match the reality of Nevada’s 24/7 economy.
The polling is clear. The research is clear. And now, the moral and economic imperative is clearer than ever.
Nevada’s future begins in pre-K classrooms. We must listen to the families and voters who already know that—and
invest in the strong start every child deserves.
