Early Childhood Programs
Louisiana has multiple publicly-funded early childhood programs.
Cecil J. Picard LA4 Early Childhood Program
The Cecil J. Picard LA4 Early Childhood Program is the primary preschool program in the state. It provides six hours of early childhood education daily and before- and after-school care to four-year-olds from disadvantaged families. Students typically enter the LA-4 program with standardized test scores below the 10th percentile in language and math, and upon completion of the program, their skills jump to the 50th percentile.
8(g) Student Enhancement Block Grant Program
Each year, the 8(g) Student Enhancement Block Grant Program prepares roughly 3,000 at-risk preschool students for Kindergarten. As part of the Louisiana Education Quality Support Fund administered by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the 8(g) grant program has allocated more than $160 million to preschool programs statewide.
Nonpublic Schools Early Childhood Development Program
The Nonpublic Schools Early Childhood Development Program provides tuition reimbursements to low-income families whose children attend state-approved private preschools. The program serves around 1,000 preschool children annually, providing six hours of daily instruction and up to four hours of before- and after-school care.