Mayor Brett P. Smiley hosted a gathering of New England mayors in Providence to address universal pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) access, quality, and workforce development amid federal funding challenges. The meeting included leaders such as Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera, New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, and Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam. Providence has made significant strides by providing Pre-K seats to over 80 percent of eligible four-year-olds through a mix of public and community-based programs, exceeding the 70 percent threshold commonly defining universal Pre-K. The city offers more than 1,800 seats for approximately 2,100 children, with flexible full- and part-time options.

Mayors discussed strategies to maintain high-quality early education programs, improve workforce development, and advocate for increased federal support, especially for Head Start. They emphasized the importance of early learning for lifelong educational success and economic stability. Mayor Smiley and others urged the federal government to invest more in early childhood education, highlighting the challenges cities face in sustaining these programs without adequate funding. The convening also focused on professional development for educators and the impact of investments on children and families, reinforcing the regional commitment to expanding and enhancing universal Pre-K opportunities.