To establish a grant program to assist States to establish or expand universal prekindergarten in public schools and public charter schools.

This bill, titled the Universal Prekindergarten and Early Childhood Education Act of 2025, would create a national grant program to help states establish or expand universal full-day prekindergarten (pre-K) in public schools and public charter schools. The Secretary of Education would award competitive grants to states to cover up to 80% of the costs of these programs, with states required to provide the remainder. Eligible programs must be located in public schools, offer voluntary enrollment for 3- and 4-year-olds regardless of income, operate for the full length of the regular school year (minimum 6 hours per day), and be staffed by teachers with qualifications comparable to those of other grades in the school. Grants are intended to supplement—not replace—existing federal early childhood funds. The bill authorizes funding for fiscal years 2026–2031 and defines key terms used in the legislation. Note: The bill’s title mentions public charter schools, but the main grant requirements specify programs “located at a public school,” which could raise questions about eligibility for charter schools or charter-linked settings. The exact applicability to charters may require clarification in implementation.