Arizona ranks worst in country for preschool enrollment [Video]

PHOENIX (AZFamily)— Teachers at the Little Giants Spanish immersion preschool in Phoenix have seen the difference early education is making in their students.

“We work with them on colors and letters and numbers, so moving forward, they can grasp all the grade level education that they need,” said said teacher assistant Paola Rice.

“95% of our students are English speakers, and now they understand, they talk in Spanish,” said Little Giants owner Lupita Guerrero.

Studies have shown that children who attend preschool are better prepared for kindergarten and elementary school and have a greater chance of success.

So why are so many Arizona parents not signing their children up for preschool?

A new report from the National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers University ranks Arizona as one of the worst in the country when it comes to preschool enrollment.

During the 2022-23 school year, 35% of the nation’s 4-year-olds …