Kean visits new Somerville YMCA preschool classrooms funded by nearly $3.8M in federal aid

SOMERVILLE, N.J. (Somerset County) — U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr. recently visited the Somerville YMCA Preschool to tour newly completed classrooms and read to students following a nearly $3.8 million federal investment that helped expand early childhood education opportunities in the community.

Kean, R-7th District, visited the preschool last week to see the results of a project funded through the fiscal year 2024 Community Project Funding process. The federal funding was secured for the Greater Somerset County YMCA to renovate and expand preschool classrooms at its Somerville facility.

According to Kean’s office, the congressman also worked with the New Jersey Department of Education to streamline the waiver and licensing process, allowing the preschool to open its new classrooms to 60 students for the 2026-27 school year.

“I worked to secure this funding because every child deserves a strong start, and every family deserves access to quality early education,” said Congressman Kean. “Today, those federal dollars are delivering real results right here in Somerville, with newly completed classrooms serving local children and families. This is exactly what bringing people together and getting things done in Washington should look like.”

The expansion is intended to increase access to early childhood education for local families while providing additional classroom space for young learners. The project represents the culmination of several years of planning, federal funding efforts and coordination with state education officials.

“It is great to see the culmination of years of effort to secure this federal funding for the Somerville YMCA and to work with them to bring this project across the finish line,” Kean said.

Greater Somerset County YMCA President and CEO David Carcieri emphasized the importance of early childhood education in preparing children for future academic and personal success.

“The early years of a child’s life are among the most formative, creating the foundation for a lifetime of learning, growth, and opportunity,” said David Carcieri, President and CEO of the Greater Somerset County YMCA. “For children ages three and four, a high-quality preschool experience nurtures curiosity, builds confidence, and develops the social, emotional, and early academic skills that prepare them for future success. Our preschool program ensures that more children have access to early learning experiences in a welcoming, engaging environment where they can thrive.”

Carcieri also credited the federal funding and the partnership with the Somerville school district for helping make the classroom expansion possible.

“We are deeply grateful to Congressman Tom Kean, Jr., for helping secure the federal funding that made Somerville YMCA’s renovation possible. His support, together with Somerville school district’s partnership, represents a meaningful investment in our children, our families, and the future of our community.”

The newly completed classrooms are now serving preschool students during the 2026-27 school year, expanding the YMCA’s capacity to provide early learning opportunities for children ages 3 and 4 in the Somerville community.