Alarmed by a steep drop in preschool enrollment, New Britain educators are campaigning to draw back some of the families who left because of COVID-19 fears or financial pressures.
“We have about 250 right now — typically we’d have about 500,” said Terry Turcotte, the school system’s coordinator for school readiness.
“Some families say they’re just not comfortable sending their child to school because they’re only 3 or 4. Some will say ‘I’m OK sending her, but my husband is not,’ ” Turcotte said. “Some families are unable to pay because they just lost their jobs.”
New Britain isn’t alone: Many school systems across the state are facing the same challenge, said Beth Bye, state commissioner of early childhood education.