The bill amends the Rhode Island Prekindergarten Education Act to enhance access to high-quality early childhood education programs for children ages three and four. It emphasizes the importance of early education in developing social and cognitive skills, which can lead to long-term benefits for children. The bill aims to ensure that at least 70% of children in this age group are enrolled in high-quality prekindergarten options and mandates the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to establish guidelines and regulations for these programs.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for competitive wages and benefits for prekindergarten and Head Start teachers. It requires the Department of Human Services to sustain and expand the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Program and allocates funds to ensure that teacher wages and benefits are competitive with those of similarly qualified kindergarten teachers.

Furthermore, beginning July 1, 2026, any new state general revenue funding allocated for the expansion of the Rhode Island prekindergarten program shall include a 30% set-aside of funding to be administered by the Department of Human Services to sustain and expand access to high-quality child care and early learning programs for infants and toddlers, including Early Head Start.

The act is set to take effect upon passage.