The United Way of Southern Nevada and the Nevada Department of Education are expanding access to preschool this coming school year by directing $13.3 million in Nevada Ready! State pre-K scholarships to families in need across Southern Nevada.
Who benefits and where
The scholarship funding will enable 1,592 children to attend preschool without tuition at 50 Southern Nevada preschool centers, according to materials released by the United Way. Participating programs meet the Quality Rating System standards set by the Nevada Department of Education.
How families can apply
Families seeking more information or to check eligibility can visit the United Way of Southern Nevada’s early education page at uwsn.org/earlyeducation. The site includes a list of participating preschools and details on qualifying criteria.
Local context and importance
Access to high-quality preschool is widely recognized as a key factor in kindergarten readiness, especially for children from low-income households. The partnership between a nonprofit and a state education agency aims to reduce barriers to early learning by covering tuition and ensuring enrolled centers meet state-established quality benchmarks.
- Funding total: $13.3 million
- Children served: 1,592
- Preschool centers: 50 in Southern Nevada
Program standards and oversight
All preschools accepting the scholarships must follow the Nevada Department of Education’s Quality Rating System. That system evaluates programs on a range of indicators such as classroom environment, teacher qualifications, curriculum, and family engagement. The United Way’s role is to connect eligible families to the state-funded scholarships and support enrollment at approved centers.
| Item | Amount / Count |
|---|---|
| Total scholarship funds | $13.3 million |
| Children covered | 1,592 |
| Participating centers | 50 |
This initiative joins other statewide efforts to expand preschool availability. For families weighing early-education options, the immediate steps are to confirm eligibility and select a participating site. The United Way’s online portal lists centers and provides application guidance.
For many parents in Southern Nevada, the scholarships may relieve financial pressure and create stable learning environments for children entering the school system. Local advocates and educators have emphasized that consistent, quality early learning improves long-term academic outcomes and supports working families by increasing childcare stability.
Visit uwsn.org/earlyeducation to see if your family qualifies and to view the list of participating preschools.
Reporting by Carmen Ortiz, News Block. This article is based on information provided by the United Way of Southern Nevada and the Nevada Department of Education.
