ST. PAUL — Not long after getting free all-day kindergarten, boosters of early childhood education are hoping to get state money for free all-day preschool across Minnesota.

It’s a top priority for Senate Democrats this session. They said giving 4-year-olds a quality education better prepares them for success in life.

The bill goes before a Senate education finance committee today. It’s not yet clear how much the proposal would cost the state.

A handful of states already cover the tab for all of their preschoolers. Most school districts in Minnesota began offering free all-day kindergarten in September.

Gov. Mark Dayton has said he’ll include new money for preschool programs in his budget proposal later this month.