We’re pleased to share the NJDOE Preschool Mixed Delivery Handbook (January 2026) from our partners and the NJ Department of Education. This guide provides consolidated guidance for implementing state-funded preschool through New Jersey’s mixed delivery model, where districts partner with licensed child care providers and Head Start programs to deliver high-quality preschool to three- and four-year-old children. The handbook outlines expectations related to collaboration, contracting, enrollment, curriculum, staffing, fiscal requirements, and program quality. It is an important reference for ensuring consistent implementation across settings and strengthening partnerships between districts and community-based providers.
Why this handbook matters to our work
As quality partners, many of you support districts and/or community providers in implementing high-quality preschool programming. This handbook brings together in one place:
- Guidance on collaboration between districts, providers, and Head Start programs, including communication, roles, and shared responsibilities
- Operational guidance on eligibility, recruitment/enrollment, program planning, curriculum, and assessment aligned to New Jersey’s preschool standards.
- Contracting, budget, and compliance support, including updated guidance on multi-year contracts and fiscal requirements.
- Quality and continuous improvement expectations, encompassing classroom quality assessments, professional development, and evaluation systems (e.g., SAVS and Grow NJ Kids).
- State and federal compliance reminders, including health, safety, discipline policies, and classroom standards.
This guide is designed to support consistent, high-quality implementation of preschool programs across all participating settings (districts, licensed child care centers, and Head Start programs). It should be a reference for partners assisting with program development, quality improvement, partner engagement, and operational planning. As you support programs across the state, I encourage you to review this resource and use it to inform technical assistance, planning conversations, and quality improvement efforts.