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RALEIGH – The head of the state's pre-k program says transition from More at Four is going smoothly. However, she wishes there was more state funding for at risk kids.

More at Four no longer exists in North Carolina. Now, young learners can take part in the newly formed pre-kindergarten program.

But, by the headlines, court battles, and political noise, it would sound like this transition has not been a successful one. The head of the NC's Pre-k tells a different story.

“It is really easy to stay focused when it is about four-year-olds,” said Dr. Deb Cassidy, NC Child Development and Early Education. “It really is.”

Cassidy says it was a bit hectic to get things in order for the start of the school year but doable.

“In spite of the fact that it was very quick turnaround, we issued contracts and assigned children and got our classrooms up and running at the beginning of this school year,” she said.

That is not to say things are exactly how she wishes they would be. Gov, Bev Perdue recently requested an additional $30 million for the program for the start of 2012. About 13,500 at-risk kids currently cannot find classroom space. The $30 million would cut that in half.

“So you know, that's very sad,” said Cassidy. “When we know what children need and we are not able to provide the very best.”

DHHS has also outlined a plan to ultimately serve all at risk kids within the next couple of years. The plan would take several hundred million dollars to implement. In the meantime, the court system, legislative leaders, and the administration will continue to work out the details of this new early learning program.