NJ Preschool Education Aid (PEA) Mixed-Delivery Provider Pathway
New Jersey's mixed-delivery preschool pathway can create contract revenue for eligible child care providers that partner with state-funded preschool districts.
About this program
The New Jersey mixed-delivery preschool pathway allows school districts receiving state-funded preschool support to work with private providers and Head Start partners to deliver preschool services. The 2026 Preschool Mixed Delivery Handbook frames the operational relationship among districts, private providers, and Head Start agencies. For a child care founder, this is best understood as a public-private partnership and contract-revenue pathway rather than a standalone grant application. Revenue depends on district participation, provider eligibility, contract terms, preschool standards, and available district/state preschool funding.
Eligibility
Eligible New Jersey child care providers may pursue partnership with a state-funded preschool district if they can meet district contract requirements and state preschool program standards.
Requirements
- Provider must be located in New Jersey, be able to partner with a state-funded preschool district, meet applicable preschool program, licensing, staffing, curriculum, and quality requirements required through the district partnership, negotiate or enter into a district agreement or contract rather than applying as an independent direct grantee, and understand that revenue depends on district participation, approval, contract scope, and state preschool funding rules.