Citing high demand, MPUSD will launch a preschool program in Monterey in January.

Over the years, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District has received calls from parents inquiring about preschool programs in Monterey. Starting on Jan. 4, the district will open a program for kids ages 3-5 in the former Monte Vista School on Soledad Drive

“This is the first subsidized program opening in Monterey that is connected to a district,” says Tia Robinson, MPUSD’s coordinator of early childhood education. The trigger to open a preschool center in Monterey was an assessment by Bright Beginnings, an early childhood development initiative of the County, United Way and Monterey County Office of Education. The assessment showed there was great interest in preschool programs in Monterey, especially subsidized programs. According to Bright Beginnings’ findings, the county has enough licensed spaces for just 26 percent of children under 5 years of age.

The Monterey location will open two classrooms and will have 48 spots available. “We will expand once we get staffing, and we’re planning to expand to probably lower ages,” Robinson says. California has strict regulations for public preschool, including 35 square feet of indoor space per child, child-size furniture and more.

Currently, MPUSD serves fewer than 400 preschool students combined in Marina and Seaside at its child development centers. If the Monterey location is closer to home or work for those families, parents can request transfers to Monterey.

The program is state-funded and is open to families at all income levels. Qualifying families pay up to $82 per month. Those who don’t qualify for subsidies will pay $850 per month per child; MPUSD employees will have a discounted rate of $590.

Kids enrolled in the program are expected to have a smooth transition to transitional kindergarten and beyond since they will already be in MPUSD’s preschool. Students will learn socio-emotional skills, language development, arts and crafts, and more.