Kindergarten readiness varies widely by income, new data shows. Cities are stepping in to help
February 4, 2026
San Antonio offers a free preschool program for infants and toddlers, helping set them up for success in elementary school. The program called Pre-K 4 SA focuses on low-income families, providing 2,000 preschool seats, 80% of which are free. It uses a “whole child” approach, developing socioemotional and motor skills. The program also offers services like healthy cooking classes and free bus transportation to support family stability. Despite its success, demand is high, with over 1,600 families on the waitlist. Other cities, like Denver, offer financial assistance to expand access to high-quality preschool programs.