Joey doesn’t know a state budget from a teddy bear. But the preschooler knows what it’s like to cavort with other children and run around a playground.

The Washington Legislature is wrestling with severe cuts in support for families with low incomes whose 3-year-olds are able to enter preschool only because of the state Early Childhood Education Assistance Program.

As someone who works every day with these families at Encom-pass, I worry about the impact of such a cut on families for whom English is not their first language.

We are grateful that boys and girls from these families have been able to attend preschool for two full years. For non-English speakers, the first year is spent learning the basic vocabulary necessary to survive in a classroom. It isn’t until the second year that they begin to socialize and learn skills that will let them succeed in kindergarten. For proof, just look at Joey.

Joey was 3 when he entered our preschool under state support in 2008. He was extremely shy around other children. He never joined in group activities at his church. He had severe separation anxiety.

His first days at school were difficult. I often met the bus when he arrived, greeting him with lots of enthusiasm. But he never returned my smile.

We began visiting Joey’s home. The second visit was the first time we heard Joey speak. Soon, he looked forward to the visits and spoke a few words to us.

Through that first year, I never saw Joey smile or interact with other children. When the current school year began, we worried because Joey’s favorite teacher had retired. The first few days, he looked like his old, worried self.

Then he started to bloom. On the third week of school, while I greeted children getting off the bus, Joey looked up and returned my smile. I almost fainted.

Now he comes up to me for a hug and a visit. When children in his class gather in a circle, he joins in songs and finger games. One day, he yelled, “Me! Me!” He visits with friends during meals. He’s a playground speedster.

Incredibly, his mom just told us that for the first time, Joey was planning a birthday party. In the past, he had not wanted a party because he was shy and afraid. This year, he gave his mom the names of friends to invite.

Two years of preschool have made a huge difference for Joey. We feel confident he will do well in kindergarten. A future that had looked questionable is now bright. What better investment could our legislators make?

• Paula Nelson is a family-support specialist for Encompass in North Bend.