This document outlines a 7-step process for developing a proposal and budget for a preschool program. It includes identifying the need for the program based on research showing benefits of preschool, determining the target population which are at-risk families in the community, considering program needs such as staffing and materials, locating funding sources such as grants, developing a budget, submitting a proposal to the school board, and promoting the program in the community. An example budget of over $136,000 is also provided to cover expenses like staff salaries, benefits, supplies, transportation, and food services for 16-18 students.

1. Proposal and Budget
to Support a
Preschool Program
By: Straughn Rainey & Jamie Danford
Problem-Based Learning Project
EDUC 521
Dr. Cobia

2. Steps in Developing a Proposal and Budget for a Preschool
Program
Step 1: Identify and explain need for the preschool program.
Guiding Questions
● What research supports the implementation of pre-Kindergarten learning?
● Does the community fail to make Pre-K available to all students in the community?
● What community demographics support possible successful implementation of a Pre-K
program?
Step 2: Determine the target population.
Guiding Questions
● Who are the families I’m trying to serve?
● What are the characteristics that make families at-risk or hard to reach in my community?
● Do the families in my community share similar characteristics? Or, are there various subgroups
of families who are at risk or hard to reach due to different circumstances?
Step 3: Consider the preschool program’s needs.
Factors to Consider
● Staff
● Space
● Transportation
● Classroom materials
● Fees
● Food services
● Level of Enrollment
● Time Frames (Start and End dates)
● Educational program
Step 4: Locate and secure sources of funding.
Guiding Questions
● Are local funds and/or grants available to support the budget for a Pre-K program?
● How many students can be supported through these funds?
● If grants are secured, what are the requirements required to receive the grant funding?
Step 5: Develop a budget for the preschool program.
Guiding Questions
● Does the budget include the costs of all program needs?
● Does the budget include the additional costs of outreach and recruitment strategies and
materials?
● Does the budget include additional salary for teachers and program administrators for work in
recruitment activities outside of program hours?
● Does the budget plan for possible student fees or costs?
● Should the budget include additional costs for student transportation?
Step 6: Submit a proposal to the school board.
● Include steps 1-5 and 7 in the school board proposal.
Step 7: Promote the preschool program in the community.
Guiding Questions
● What are potential outreach strategies?
● What are potential cost of these outreach strategies?

3. Rationale to Support Need for Preschool Program
Rigorous educational research consistently shows that at-risk children who attend high-quality pre-k programs
demonstrate gains in early learning skills and throughout their K-12 years. Studies show that children who
attend a pre-K program are placed three to four months ahead of nonparticipants when entering kindergarten.
The research also strongly supports the long term gains that are made by attending preschool. The chart
below shows the results from one such longitudinal study.
http://www.highscope.org/file/Research/PerryProject/specialsummary_rev2011_02_2.pdf
The term “at risk” is used to describe students who are at a higher chance of failing grades or dropping out of
school due to specific circumstances in their lives. These risk factors could be anything from homelessness or
having a parent that is incarcerated, to specific learning or behavioral issues. Students living in poverty or on
government subsidies are considered at risk.
According to long-term studies, PreK programs have a positive impact on communities in a variety of ways.
Early child programs are determined an investment because early spending on students reduces future
government spending on schooling, social services, crime, and healthcare costs. PreK programs have been
found to have a positive impact by reducing grade repetitions, delinquency, crime, welfare, smoking, drug use,
and depression. It has also been associated with increases in graduation rates, positive behaviors, and
achievement scores. Finally, it has been noted in 123 studies where preschool by itself can close half the
achievement gap. However, it is important to note proper design, high standards,adequate funding, and
evaluation of the programs are keys to success rates.
(http://nieer.org/sites/nieer/files/Economics%20of%20ECE_Loyola_Nores.pdf)
Target Population

4. Talladega County At Risk Youth- 2013
Health Indicators
Infant Mortality Rate 11
White 6
African American/other 5
Low weight births 103
White 54
African American/other 49
Births to Unmarried Teens 96
White 57
African American/other 39
Education Indicators
First Grade Retention 5.5%
Graduation Rate 77.6%
Safety Indicators
Child Death Rate 27.4
Children with Indication of Abuse or Neglect 207
Juvenile Violent Crime Court Petition Rate 12.8
Preventable Teen Death Rate 0
Security Indicators
Vulnerable Families 10.4%
Children in Poverty 6,498
County Demographics
Median Household Income $33,856
Percent of all people living below poverty level 26.2%
Percent children in extreme poverty 15%
Percent employed mothers with young children 59.8%
Percent of women receiving first trimester prenatal care 79.7%
Percent receiving adequate prenatal care 78.9%

5. Percent teens not attending school and not working 14.9%
County Child Population 81,762
Factors contributing to hard to reach or disadvantaged families:
● low income or living in poverty
● young parents
● people with disabilities
● families with child protection issues
● isolated families
● familial substance abuse or violence issues
Program Needs
Needs Possible Costs
Staff
1. Certified Instructor (1 per 10 students) 1. BS/BA: $31,518 or Certified: $36,867

6. 2. Auxiliary Teacher
3. Substitute Teacher
4. Fringe Benefits
2. $18,033
3. $4,000
4. $2,550
Equipment, Materials, and Supplies
1. Educational Supplies/Equipment
2. Indoor Furniture
3. Computer equipment
4. Other
1. $8,000
2. $2,000
3. $4,000
4. $2,000
Transportation
1. Initial Cost of Minibus
2. Mini-Bus driver Salary (including fringe)
3. Mini-Bus aide Salary
4. Mileage rate for approximately 50 miles
per week.
5. Daily rate for commercial provider and
bus
1. $25,000
2. $16,200 ($18 an hour, five hours a day,
for 180 program day)
3. $7,603 ($8.45 an hour (based on $7.50
hourly + fringe)
4. $1800 ($1.00 per mile)
5. $63,000 ($350/day for 180 days)
Food Services $376 per student enrolled (This total was determined
using total expenditures for Food & Nutrition dividing
by the ADM for Talladega County Schools)
Enrollment Must have at least 16 students to begin. The
maximum number of students per class is 18. (Each
class will be required to have a certified and
noncertified staff member).
Time Frames Programs will begin no later than September 1st.
Sites in public schools will be expected to
coordinate with the local school calendar adopted by
the local board of education.
Outreach & Promotion Materials
1. Paper
2. Printing Cost
3. Community Signs
4. Bounce House Rental
A maximum allotment of $1,000 may be used on
outreach and promotional materials.
Possible Student Fees Fees assessed may be anywhere from $40-$300 per
month based upon the family’s poverty level.
No child may be denied access due to the family’s
inability to pay requested parent fees. Sites may
seek help from local task forces for scholarships and
fundraising events. Voluntary donations may be
requested. However, no child may be denied
participation if families do not give requested
donations. Children designated as Title I, Title III,
Migrant or Homeless may not be charged fees. All
children must receive the same opportunities during
the 6.5 hour program day.
Possible Sources of Funding
There are several possible sources of funding for preschool programs. Some options
are listed below:

7. 1. Title I schools may elect use all of its Title I funds to operate a preschool program.
Title I schools may use all of the Title I funds it receives under ESEA section 1113 to operate a
preschool program if the school determines that such use of its funds holds the most promise
for raising the achievement of its students and the school implements the preschool program
consistent with all applicable requirements. Note that a Title I school operating a targeted
assistance program may only serve children who are most at risk of failing to meet the State’s
academic achievement standards.
Similarly, a Title I school operating a schoolwide program that does not have sufficient funds to
serve all preschool children residing in the school attendance area must apply selection criteria
to serve those children who are most at risk of failing to meet the State’ academic achievement
standards. (http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/preschoolguidance2012.pdf)
2. The Federal Department of Education provides grants and information on grants for funding
preschool programs. Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge
3. The State Department of Education also awards grants for high quality pre-k programs.
The Office of School Readiness (OSR) is housed within the Alabama Department of Children’s
Affairs and is charged with administering Alabama’s state funded Pre-K program. OSR funds
pre-K classrooms through a competitive grant process. OSR funds high quality pre-K programs
through a competitive grant application process. Grants are funded by state funds appropriated
through the Alabama legislature each year. All programs should understand that the receipt of
state dollars is a responsibility and should ensure that funds received are spent for the
purposes of high quality pre-K in the classroom for which they are appropriated.
http://children.alabama.gov/uploadedFiles/File/OSR_201314_Program_Guidelines_Aug_26.pdf
4. Some privately owned organizations provide grants for preschool programs.
There are a variety of organizations who provide grant opportunities for schools to aid in
establishing preschool programs. It is important to note the grants may not provide
long-term funding, but these grants provide an excellent source of funding for the high, initial
first year costs. The following are links to aid in researching privately funded grants:
http://www.eduplace.com/grants/available/private.html
http://www.grantwatch.com/cat/26/preschool+grants.html
Potential Outreach Strategies
To ensure that potential at-risk children in the community are aware of the availability of the
opportunity for preschool education through the program, the following are potential strategies to use
to promote the preschool program:
● Distribute Outreach Materials: Handouts which describe the preschool program and its
activities. They can be distributed to families at community-wide events.
● Coordinate the Distribution of Outreach Materials with Local Programs and Providers:
Programs offered to children and families in the community such as BRIDGES, SAFE, the

8. local library summer reading program, churches, etc. may use outreach materials to
disseminate information. Provide outreach materials to child care providers, health clinics, and
social workers within the community.
● Hold a Yearly Registration “Kick-Off” with Fun, Free Activities for Families: Coordinate a
fun-filled afternoon to apply and register for the preschool program. Encourage participation by
posting signs throughout the community and offering free activities for kids such as a bounce
house and carnival-style games.
● Develop a Short Video to Share with Community: The video should introduce potential
families to the program, its benefits, the importance of early childhood services, and basic
information about how/where/when to enroll. The video could play in local facilities and shared
through social media and the district and school websites.
● Create social media pages and campaigns: Maintain and advertise with Facebook, Twitter
and Instagram sites to enhance public awareness and communication with families about
program and community events.
Budget Proposal for Pre-K Program
General Expenditures 12 month Actual Budgeted Total
1000 Instruction
100 Salaries
110 Certified Staff $36,867
120 Noncertified $18,033
200 Employee Benefits
210 Insurance (Employee) $5,100
600 Supplies
610 General Supplemental (Teaching) $6,000
644 Textbooks $2,000

9. 680 Miscellaneous Supplies $7,000
700 Property (Equipment & Furnishings) $2,000
2000 Support Services
2100 Student Support Services
100 Salaries
110 Certified $16,200
120 Noncertified $4,000
620 Energy
622 Electricity $1,000
944 Food Service $6,016
952 Transportation $32,603
Total Expenditures $136,819