Half the young children in southeastern Pennsylvania live in Philadelphia. The majority of them are considered “at risk” because of economic circumstances, and many enter kindergarten without the basic skills they need to become proficient readers by 4th grade.

Eighty percent of Philadelphia voters passed a small tax in 2015 on sweetened beverages, like soda, that funds free, high-quality pre-k. Thanks to this funding, PHLpreK has served over 13,000 children since 2017. In 2024, nearly 5,000 Philadelphia children attended pre-k at over 180 centers thanks to the PHLpreK program.

Children First is advocating for an additional 1,700 PHLpreK seats to open so more young children have access to early learning, which builds their social and intellectual development.

Contact Symbol Lai at symboll@childrenfirstpa.org to get involved in speaking out for early education in Philadelphia.