"Teachers and education workers were tasked with implementing a curriculum that was based on play and less direct instruction. "
In other words it's daycare not education. 
"will also helpful for their family budgets"
I have no doubt that 100% taxpayer funded daycare will help family budgets.
" “If you target programs to certain demographics, you may miss many children who are in need,"
Ummm then how about making the demographic be "children who are in need"? Or is that too complicated a concept?