We have long been strong advocates of preschool, believing that high-quality programs would help the thousands of disadvantaged children in our region perform better in school, and ultimately be successful in life. That's an investment that would pay dividends across our community.

But quality preschool doesn't come cheap and even in good economic times, our community hasn't found the money to meet our children's needs. With the current tight public budgets, it's even more difficult to fund quality preschool programs. But that must remain the community's goal.

Fortunately, preschool advocates are laying the foundation for this important investment when money becomes available.

They are pushing plans to improve the education of Fresno County's 4-year-olds, and their message is solid: Quality preschool programs are the key to success in school and on the job.

The Fresno County Office of Education's master plan for voluntary preschool is a guide for the gradual expansion of preschool. The 80-page document provides a roadmap for a network of preschools, although paying for the recommendation remains a challenge.

"When you're in difficult times, you advance; you don't retreat," Fresno County Schools Superintendent Larry Powell said Thursday. "We're going to move forward, regardless of the budget situation."

We like Powell's commitment, but you don't move forward without a revenue stream, especially when the program you're pushing costs $8,000 per child per year.

The preschool advocates need a specific plan for funding the program. Hoping the money will be there when the economy gets better isn't a plan.

The county's preschool report says there aren't openings for about 4,000 children, meaning that about 40% of the 4-year-olds don't have access to a quality program.

We must remedy that, and find a way to pay for preschool programs that are part of a strategy to improve student performance across our education system.