Healey has called for universal pre-K in every Gateway City by the yearโ€™s end. Providers say they wonโ€™t get there.

Child care providers say the governorโ€™s โ€œGateway to Pre-Kโ€ initiative has the right intention, but implementing universal access at the local level remains a challenge

Seven of the 26 cities are not currently participating in the state’s pre-K implementation program. Child care providers in cities that are participating say that while it enforces a mixed-delivery approach highly valued by preschool advocates, universal access for every 4-year-old by the end of the year is a pipe dream.

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