PRESCHOOLERS TYPICALLY don't lobby on Beacon Hill. But today the House has an exciting chance to act on young children's behalf by passing a bill that would set up a statewide, universal preschool program.

It's easy to forget how much preschoolers can do unless you watch them in action. In private programs, 2- and 3-year-olds engage in reading, art, music, and simple science experiments. They learn about farms and colors, and they learn how to learn, developing emotional and social skills that lead to later success in school.

What's missing is a public education system to meet their needs.

The House bill would create that system, naming it the Massachusetts Universal Pre-kindergarten Program. Interested parents would be able to enroll children ages 3 to 5. Ideally, at least three hours of the program would be free.

The program would be run by the state's new Department of Early Education and Care, which opened last year. Because the department is forming, now is a good time to commit to preschool that is universal so that it can become part of the core mission.

Creating the program is a key step. The tougher job will be planning, building, and funding it. A complete universal program could cost as much as $1 billion per year.

Massachusetts can learn from preschool programs in other states, including Georgia, Oklahoma, and Florida.

Florida, which provides universal pre-kindergarten for 4-year-olds, built quickly, moving from a 2002 ballot initiative to a program that started in the fall of 2005. In some ways, the state would have benefited from having more planning time to address ongoing concerns, including the varying quality of different programs, how to reach out to parents, and how much to spend. The current state investment -- $2,500 per child for three hours a day in a 180-day school year -- probably isn't enough to finance the high quality that research shows leads to future success in school and work. And while private and faith-based organizations have signed up to run pre-kindergarten programs, public schools have hesitated, wary of the low spending and, because the program is voluntary, uncertain about how many children might enroll.

Massachusetts should take the time to work out the logistics first, so it can focus on children's achievement. A voluntary system would require a compelling outreach campaign to attract families, for example.

Granting 3-year-olds the same right to a public education as 6-year-olds should, over time, give Massachusetts residents a better shot at competing in the global economy.