To provide a guide to how well each state supports preschool education for parents and others, we have compiled rankings based on a national survey of state programs for the 2021-22 school year. All but six states offer free preschool education regardless of parents’ employment status at least at age four; these six states are—Idaho, Indiana, Montana, New Hampshire, South Dakota, and Wyoming—tie for last place in our best places to start preschool for both access and funding. We present three rankings from best to worst, one each for: Opportunity for Enrollment at Age Three (Two Years of State-Funded Preschool Education): This ranking assesses the extent to which states provide opportunities for children to enroll in state-funded preschool education starting at age three as 35 states that serve three-year-olds, the other states tie for last place; Opportunity for Enrollment at Age Four (One Year of State-Funded Preschool Education): This ranking evaluates the accessibility of state-funded preschool education for children at the age of four; State Spending per Child Enrolled (a Key Determinant of Quality and Hours): This ranking assesses how much each state is willing to invest per child enrolled in state-funded preschool programs, adjusting for state cost of living, a pivotal factor influencing educational quality and the number of hours of services provided, which can range from just 10 hours per week for 36 weeks to full-day, year-round services. (author abstract)