After years of promoting universal pre-k, Gov. Andy Beshear is launching a pilot program, much to the chagrin of Kentucky's top Republican legislators.

Beshear announced an executive order on May 7 that will pave the way for two universal pre-k programs in Robertson and Rockcastle counties, along with $850,000 to expand daycare services in Daviess County. Beshear's order requires the Education and Labor Cabinet to enter contracts with Rockcastle and Robertson school districts and provide full-day pre-k for all 4-year-olds.

Kentucky's Republican-led General Assembly has been clear about refusing to fund universal pre-k within the state, with no funding provided in the two-year budget passed during the 2026 legislative session.

Universal pre-k has long been a point of contention between the Democratic governor and the Republican-controlled legislature. Despite Beshear's continued push for funding, Kentucky lawmakers show no signs of budging on the program, instead instituting their own child care and early education pilot programs.

“Unfortunately, the Republican supermajority refused to fund Pre-K for All this session, turning a no-brainer into a partisan issue,” Beshear said. “We will not accept that outcome, because Kentucky's kids deserve better."

With no money from the state legislature, Beshear's program will be funded through appropriated economic development funds redirected from underperforming workforce programs — a method Senate President Robert Stiver, R-Manchester, questioned. It has not been made public what workforce programs the funds will be pulled from.

In response to Beshear's announcement, Stivers released a statement questioning the impacts on private child care programs within both counties and the cost to taxpayers if the program were to expand statewide.

“These are not political questions," Stivers said. "They are fundamental questions of governance and budgeting. When taxpayer dollars are repurposed, Kentuckians are owed a clear accounting of where those dollars are coming from, what tradeoffs may follow and how those decisions are being made. That level of transparency is essential to maintaining public trust. "

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To House Speaker David Osborne, R-Prospect, the program comes as little surprise. In a statement, he said Kentuckians are "right to question if the governor understands his role in state government."

"The governor has continually failed to present a thoughtful, well-developed plan in a manner that garners even modest support from lawmakers," Osborne said. "Major commitments of taxpayer dollars should not be made by robbing one program to create another or without a plan for what happens when funding is exhausted."

But educators within the pilot districts say the program is more than needed.

Robertson County Schools serves a total of 400 students in K-12, the smallest public school district within the state, according to Superintendent Sanford Holbrook. Holbrook said child care centers are 30 or 40 minutes away for many parents within the district, and a universal pre-k program will not only benefit children but also working parents.

"This isn't a tough call," said Holbrook, who was in attendance at the May 7 announcement along with several Robertson County students. "Expanding preschool is a no-brainer. Pre-K for All will move Kentucky forward, get kids on the right track and help parents get to work. So I'm over the moon excited for Robertson County to be one of the first districts in the Pre-K for All pilot program."

Beshear also announced the opening of the Team Kentucky Early Learning Center, which will give executive branch employees a discounted child care option for up to 92 children.

Reach reporter Keely Doll at kdoll@courierjournal.com or follow her on X at @keely_doll.

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