Welcome to Public Preschool in Maine. Our focus is on expanding access to high-quality public pre-k programming for all 4-year-old students through a whole student and community approach. In Maine, it is a local decision for school administrative units (SAUs) to develop and implement a public preschool program (also called a public pre-k). The Early Learning Team at the Maine Department of Education is happy to offer support and information to SAUs that currently offer public pre-k programs and to those looking to implement programs.
- Chapter 124 — Basic Approval Standards for Public Preschool, the governing document for public preschool programming statute
- Pre-K Guidebook — A guide to high-quality publicly funded preschool in Maine
- Pre-K Program Self-Assessment Tool — A continuous quality improvement tool to assess publicly funded preschool programs
- Public Pre-K Annual Survey — Complete the annual SAU public pre-k data survey | 2025-2026 PDF Version
- Public Preschool Health — Information on health screenings, immunizations, and the public preschool toileting policy
Explore Public Preschool
Start here with information and resources to support the implementation of new and expanding public pre-k programs and community partnerships.
Review and compare evidence-based curricula that are designed to serve preschool-age children.
Resources for formal assessment tools that are aligned to the Maine Early Learning & Development Standards.
Find information on our tri-annual and ongoing technical assistance program for public pre-k programs.
Find information about our state's early learning development continuum.
Information and data collected by our Early Learning Team focusing on public pre-k in Maine.
Contact
Nicole Madore
Early Childhood Specialist, Office of Innovation
Phone: 207-446-3967
Email: Nicole.Madore@maine.gov
Marcy Whitcomb
Public Pre-K Consultant, Office of Innovation
Phone: 207-441-2651
Email: Marcy.R.Whitcomb@maine.gov