Preschool Advantage Funds Preschool Education

has funded 65 preschoolers this year from Morristown and other local towns. “With an average family income of $28,596, including 20 families earning under $21,000, help to pay yearly preschool tuition of around $4000 is clearly needed,” says Board President Barbara Demarest. “These are families whose children are not placed in publically funded programs like Head Start.”

The organization recently collected evaluations for children funded last school year “We found that preschool made a difference in the lives of the children we assisted, and that they are now very well prepared now to succeed in school," says Demarest.

These results complemented another study recently conducted by Preschool Advantage to find out how the now-college age Preschool Advantage scholars are faring: Alumni ranks were filled with successful students, athletes, artists, and Eagle Scout and Girl Scout Gold Award winners. “We are thrilled with the results of both surveys,” reports Demarest, “We now have empirical data confirming the benefits of preschool in the lives of the children we’ve assisted.”

Preschool Advantage is funded entirely through private donations from individuals, corporations and foundations. “The more money we raise,” says Demarest, “The more children we can send to school next year.” Tickets are still available to Turning Leaves, the organization’s annual gala on Thursday, October 20 at Morris County Country Club.
Since its founding in 1995, Preschool Advantage has sent 600 children to quality preschool programs. Most attended preschool for two years and went on to enter kindergarten with appropriate learning, language and social skills in place. For information on Preschool Advantage, its upcoming gala Turning Leaves, or how you can help as either a donor or volunteer, contact executive director Karen Titterton at (973) 532-2501 or log onto www.preschooladvantage.org. Applications for the 2012-2013 school year will be available beginning in December.