The State of Preschool in Maine

mainechildrensalliance • July 15, 2025

ACCESS & ENROLLMENT

Maine Quick Facts:
  • X# of public preschool classrooms;
  • Serves 36 percent of 4 year olds;
  • Available in 88 percent of School Administrative Units (SAU).

QUALITY

Our preschool teachers can make a big difference in the lives of our youngest children during the most impressionable years of their lives
Maine Areas Needing Improvement:
  • Maximum class size
  • Student/Staff Ratio
  • Meals Available

STATE FUNDING

The findings in the 2015 State of Preschool reveal what many Mainers already know: Maine can and should do more to invest in our public preschool program. When we invest in high-quality, early education programs, our children, our communities and our state benefits.
A pie chart showing the percentage of people in person and online.
By mainechildrensalliance July 15, 2025
Maine’s college students – like students of all ages – had their learning disrupted by the COVID-19 crisis. The impact on college enrollment in Maine reflects the trends nationally. Maine’s public university and community college systems have played a critical role in addressing the needs of students and American Rescue Act funds offer an opportunity for continued support to students to help them succeed in meeting their higher education goals.

By mainechildrensalliance July 15, 2025
AUGUSTA, ME—On Tuesday the President released his blueprint for the federal budget , which if enacted, would be detrimental to Maine’s future and the health and well-being of our children, youth and families. The President’s proposals go back on the Federal Government’s long-held commitments to children in the areas of health, nutrition and education. These drastic cuts targeting programs like Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will adversely affect child development in Maine and there will be serious consequences for years to come.
By mainechildrensalliance July 15, 2025
Through the Maine state budget, we can support solutions that respond to the needs of the moment and invest in building a more vibrant, equitable future for our children. an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen and stabilize families who continue to face significant health and economic challenges related to the coronavirus pandemic. They also provide an opportunity to invest in the long-term recovery of our state, by investing in the programs and services that support the needs of working families, who are raising the next generation of Mainers, and who are the backbone of our workforce and communities.
A row of giraffe trophies are lined up on a table
By mainechildrensalliance July 15, 2025
http://www.mekids.org/nomination-form.php
By mainechildrensalliance July 15, 2025
the American Health Care Act
A graph showing the cost of care for an infant , toddler , and child
By mainechildrensalliance July 15, 2025
69 percent of Maine children under the age of six having both parents working to make ends meet
A red sign that says give today on it
By mainechildrensalliance July 15, 2025
By mainechildrensalliance July 15, 2025
A woman and two children are sitting on a couch looking at a tablet.
By mainechildrensalliance July 15, 2025
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