Universal Prekindergarten and Early Childhood Education Act of 2024

HR 7114, the Universal Prekindergarten and Early Childhood Education Act of 2024, establishes a federal grant program to help states create or expand full-day prekindergarten programs for 3- and 4-year-olds. The bill directly affects all states that apply for grants and their public school systems, requiring programs to be free and open to all families regardless of income, held at public schools, and taught by qualified teachers. Key provisions mandate programs run the full school year (minimum 6 hours daily), supplement existing early childhood funding without replacing it, and use federal funds for up to 80% of program costs. The program is authorized through fiscal year 2030, aiming to provide universal access to prekindergarten in public schools.