State of Preschool
Palau
No Program
The Republic of Palau does not have a state-funded preschool program meeting the criteria of this report, but the territory does support other early childhood education initiatives. The Palau Community Action Agency operates center-based Head Start for 3- to 5-year-olds throughout the Republic’s 16 states. In addition, three of the predominant religious denominations (Roman Catholic, Seventh Day Adventist, and Palau Evangelical Church) have established private early childhood programs in Koror State. Many young children live in small communities outside Koror State and continue to lack access to early education because their communities do not meet the requirement that at least ten eligible children enroll in the Head Start program. In these communities, the cost of access to and enrollment in private early childhood program is beyond parental means. However, in 2019-2020, the Palau Ministry of Education continued to pilot two early childhood education programs serving 3- to 5-year-olds in the outlying states of Palau, specifically in Angaur and Kayangel states. These are areas that can only be accessed by boat and have populations of less than ten preschool aged children.
The Palau Early Childhood Comprehensive System (PECCS) established a National Framework on Early Childhood Development for School Readiness which partners with families, communities and agencies to ensure the health and success of children in Palau. The
Ministry of Education has identified “expanding and improving comprehensive early childhood care and education, especially for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children,” as a chief goal. Ministry responsibilities include developing appropriate curricula for all public preschool, elementary school, and secondary school programs, and recommending minimum qualifications and requirements for preschool, elementary, and secondary school teachers.
Palau
Access
| Total state pre-K enrollment | 0 |
| School districts that offer state program | NA |
| Income requirement | NA |
| Minimum hours of operation | NA |
| Operating schedule | NA |
| Special education enrollment, ages 3 and 4 | 4 |
| Federally funded Head Start enrollment, ages 3 and 4 | 350 |
| State-funded Head Start enrollment, ages 3 and 4 | 0 |
Resources
| Total state pre-K spending | $0 |
| Local match required? | NA |
| State Head Start spending | $0 |
| State spending per child enrolled | $0 |
| All reported spending per child enrolled* | $0 |