FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact
Vashon Lamont Hill, Chief of Marketing and Communications
Email: vhill@plainfield.k12.nj.us
Phone Number: (908) 731-4442 (Office) or (908) 591-1402 (Mobile)
PLAINFIELD, NJ – July 14, 2025 – Plainfield Public Schools is making significant strides in its commitment to expanding early childhood education. On Wednesday, July 9, 2025, Governor Phil Murphy signed two landmark Assembly Bills into law at the Plainfield Early Learning Center: S-3910/A-5717 (New Jersey Universal Preschool and Kindergarten Act) and S-4476/A-5780 (amendments to the Public School Contracts Law regarding preschool education services). This new legislation promises to further broaden access to free, high-quality preschool and full-day kindergarten, with a specific focus on inclusive education for all children across New Jersey.
The signing ceremony took place at the Plainfield Early Learning Center, which is set to open in the 2025–2026 school year. This facility will serve as the district’s first fully public preschool operated by Plainfield Public Schools. The new location will offer an inclusive early childhood education environment where general education students and students with disabilities learn together in integrated classroom settings. The expansion of early childhood services is a critical part of the district's broader commitment to providing equitable education and fostering academic success for all students.
Superintendent Rashon K. Hasan, Ed. S., shared his excitement for this development: "This is a pivotal moment for Plainfield Public Schools and our community. We have been tirelessly working to provide the best possible start for our students, and with this legislation, we can continue to push Plainfield Public Schools forward by ensuring that our youngest learners receive the high-quality education they deserve. We are proud to be at the forefront of this movement to make early childhood education accessible to all students."
The Plainfield Early Learning Center, located at 510 Grant Avenue, will be renamed as part of a formal naming process in line with Board of Education policy. The facility will serve 155 preschool students, providing an accessible, high-quality education to Plainfield’s youngest learners. In addition to this new facility, Plainfield has also committed to creating four inclusive preschool classrooms at Washington Community School, Clinton and Jefferson Elementary Schools, and the new Plainfield Early Learning Center, further expanding access to early childhood education.
With the passage of the two bills, New Jersey is set to see an increase in the availability of preschool services, alongside expanded funding and the establishment of a Universal Preschool Implementation Steering Committee. This legislation supports the state’s ongoing push to ensure that every child, regardless of their background or location, has access to quality early education.
Governor Phil Murphy emphasized the significance of the bills, stating, “We are moving forward to make free universal prekindergarten, as well as free full-day kindergarten, a reality in every corner of New Jersey. This bill will make it significantly easier to replicate the success we see right here in Plainfield. The Plainfield Early Learning Center offers a perfect example of the immense potential of the collaborative mixed-use delivery of PreK in school districts all across New Jersey.”
Murphy continued, “As we sign this legislation package into law today, a parallel effort to align standards is already underway, making it easier for providers in both public and private sectors to work together in expanding access to early childhood education. I’m incredibly proud that under our administration, the number of school districts offering free full-day PreK has increased more than 350%, and with the steps we are taking today, we will ensure that every parent in New Jersey will eventually be able to enroll their child in a high-quality PreK program at no additional cost.”
Senator M. Teresa Ruiz, a champion for early childhood education, expressed her support, saying, “When an administration grows 350%, and that is equivalent to having a child in a seat at a high-quality preschool, defraying the cost to that family, that deserves ten times another round of applause.”
“Looking around the phenomenal facility you can see firsthand why investing in early childhood education is so important. Each one of the classrooms in this learning center is built to serve all students of all backgrounds and all needs, said Murphy.”
In addition to these exciting legislative advancements, Plainfield Public Schools has also made significant steps to improve the professional development and compensation of preschool educators. The district has committed to salary parity for pre-school educators employed by partner providers, reflecting its values and investments in early childhood education.
Members of the Plainfield Board of Education, including Board President Hanae M. Wyatt and Vice President Victor L. Webb, Jr., and Mayor Adrian Mapp, also attended the event, celebrating this momentous occasion in the expansion of early childhood education in Plainfield.
In addition to this new legislation, Plainfield Public Schools has made remarkable strides in kindergarten readiness, ensuring a smooth transition for students into their educational journey. More than 70% of students are meeting or exceeding expectations in the following areas:
Social-Emotional Development
Approaches to Learning
Gross Motor Skills
Fine Motor Skills
Self-Regulation
Cognitive Development
These high-performance areas reflect strong foundational skills, supporting students as they move into kindergarten and beyond. Plainfield’s commitment to nurturing its students from the very beginning helps prepare them for success in school and life.
The new law is part of New Jersey's broader strategy to improve its early childhood education system, ensuring that all families can access high-quality preschool education regardless of their socio-economic background. As the state leads the nation in early childhood education, Plainfield Public Schools continues to provide innovative, inclusive educational opportunities for its youngest learners.
Key provisions of the newly signed legislation include:
Codifying preschool funding
Preschool expansion grants
Full-day kindergarten mandate
Universal Preschool Implementation Steering Committee
Simplified contracting process for preschool providers
This transformative legislation, combined with the ongoing work of Plainfield Public Schools, ensures that children across the state will have access to the education they need to succeed.
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For more information on the Plainfield Public School District or this story, please contact the Office of Marketing and Communications at information@plainfield.k12.nj.us or by phone at, (908) 731-4442.