LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville, unveiled his five-year plan March 12 at the University of Louisville's Early Learning Campus to create a pathway to universal pre-K.
“When I took office, I promised the people of Louisville a plan to invest in our children, our workforce and our future through universal pre-K,” Greenberg said. “Today, we are delivering on that commitment.”
“This is a plan created by childhood experts that will ensure every 3- and 4-year-old in Louisville can access quality early learning so that they see long-term success through school and beyond. We are excited to get this program up and running because we know the benefits for our children, our economy and our future will be transformational.”
To implement the plan, 501c3 nonprofit Thrive by 5 Louisville will be established, with learning advocate Ashley Novak Butler serving as board chair, the mayor’s office said. A board of directors will lead the organization, which will operate separately from Louisville Metro Government.
“I am committed to building a collaborative organization that will strengthen Louisville’s existing early learning ecosystem and build the additional resources needed to create access to high quality learning environments for all the children of Louisville,” Butler said.
“Ashley is a proven leader who has delivered results time and time again when it comes to early childhood learning in Louisville,” Greenberg said. “She is a problem-solver whose vast knowledge in this area, as well as in philanthropy, community partnerships and more, will make sure Thrive by 5 Louisville has the strong platform needed to launch a long-lasting, successful program for Louisville’s children.”
The Mayor’s Early Learning Action Group, consisting of 23 early childhood experts and community members and led by the Mayor’s Office of Philanthropy, met over a six-month period in 2023 to draft the plan.
The mayor’s office said Greenberg’s plan will invest in and strengthen existing early learning facilities in Louisville, including private and nonprofit preschools, child care centers and family child care homes. Thrive by 5 Louisville will use both public and philanthropic funds to recruit and keep the early learning workforce, elevate early learning programs and offer financial help.
“Access to affordable and high-quality child care is critical for workforce participation and economic development,” said Ashli Watts, president and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. “We hear from business leaders all across Kentucky about the importance of child care in addressing current workforce challenges and helping develop our future workforce.”
Over a five-year period, Thrive by 5 Louisville will execute the following in three phases, according to the mayor’s office:
Phase one, years one and two: create and staff Thrive by 5 Louisville; recruit private and nonprofit preschools, child care centers and family child care homes for pilot participation; provide funding for workforce development grants to private and nonprofit preschools, child care centers and family child care homes for program improvements; implement facility assessment and improvement processes; establish an online resource hub; initiate marketing strategies; and fundraise
Phase two, years three and four: initially launch financial assistance (paid directly to providers) for 4-year-olds from families making less than 300% of federal poverty level (family income of $93,600 or less in 2024) to attend preschool
Phase three, year five: expand eligibility for financial assistance to more Louisville children, measure program impact, expand workforce benefits and support and continue facility assessments and quality improvement efforts
This approach will allow financial assistance for preschool to be available for 4-year-olds from families making less than 300% of the federal poverty level by 2026, the mayor’s office said. The plan has garnered support from both city and state leaders.
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