Montana legislators hear that preschool makes a world of difference for kids entering kindergarten.

A group of Montana lawmakers dressed in dark suits with official name tags looked out of place in Whittier Elementary’s brightly colored preschool classroom.

Whittier and Hyalite Elementary are the only public schools in Bozeman to offer full-day preschool. Kids from low income households are targeted first for acceptance into the program and then spots are open on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s paid for through a federal grant.