Expanded pre-K classes begin in 64 districts across LI

News 12 Staff

Originally published in News 12 Long Island

A new expanded prekindergarten program kicked off in many Long Island districts, including Oceanside, on Tuesday.

The program features 64 school districts, for a total of more than 5,100 new spots for 4-year-olds in the new school year.

Long Island received over $31 million from the state for this program, and officials say it was money well spent.

"The students we saw today were learning, they were engaged, they were happy and we want to get more of this money for Long Island so we can make this as universal as possible," says Nassau County Executive Laura Curran.

The Oceanside district alone received over $600,000 funding that created 118 full days of pre-K slots.