About SPARK
Saint Paul All Ready for Kindergarten (SPARK) is an effort by a broad coalition of education, business and civic leaders to ensure that early learning is accessible to all children in Saint Paul. The program proposed by the City Council will supplement existing funding so that all zero to five year olds in Saint Paul, who live at or below 185% of poverty, will be able to attend an early learning program for free, while other households will qualify for subsidies.
All families deserve quality, culturally responsive early learning options that are right for them. The program will make early learning free or highly affordable for Saint Paul families and bridge racial disparities in access to early learning programs.
An online platform will allow families to view all available programs and apply for funding, and navigators will be available to assist families whether they choose school-based programs, HeadStart, a child care center, or licensed family child care.
A small, incremental yearly increase to property taxes over the next 10 years would provide equitable access to early learning opportunities for children across the city. The program will cost the average family less than $20 in the first year and over time could result in lower taxes overall because of increased economic development.
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