Preschool

March 19, 2019

New training for California preschool teachers to help bilingual children prepare for kindergarten

The trainings teach preschool teachers how to help children learn English and keep their home languages, so they can be more successful in kindergarten and beyond.

Zaidee Stavely

January 7, 2019

Gov. Newsom wants universal preschool for low-income children in California to be phased in over three years

A transition team document says Newsom's proposed budget for the next fiscal year will call for $1.8 billion for kindergarten, child care and child development programs, although more details are expected when he releases his proposed budget later this week.

Louis Freedberg

December 13, 2018

What California can learn from universal preschool in other states

Some states have successfully expanded both access and the quality of their preschool programs. Here’s what some early learning advocates and researchers say California could learn from them.

Zaidee Stavely

December 11, 2018

In push for universal preschool, lessons to heed from California's class size reduction program

The $1 billion program was implemented in less than two months.

Louis Freedberg

December 4, 2018

New push underway to expand preschool for low-income children in California

Assemblyman Kevin McCarty introduced three bills this week, one to expand spaces for public preschool for low-income 4-year-olds, one to improve preschool facilities and one to increase reimbursement for preschool programs.

Zaidee Stavely

November 19, 2018

Preschoolers take on math with the help of college students

Preschool Counts, a program piloted by Stanford University in 2013, is boosting early math skills by pairing undergraduate students with preschoolers to practice math through games and other activities.

Ashley Hopkinson

October 4, 2018

New California law requires day care centers to test for lead in water

Child care centers will be required to test their drinking water for lead under a new law that builds on a similar requirement for K-12 schools.

Nico Savidge

August 9, 2018

Baby and toddler storytime can create a lifetime love of reading

Local libraries help parents to learn early literacy skills through storytime. Children's librarians say storytime is one of the best ways to cultivate a young child's interest in books and encourage lifelong reading.

Ashley Hopkinson

July 5, 2018

Low pay for child care workers puts more than half at poverty level, study finds

A national study on the early childhood education workforce found that many child care workers are struggling to support their families on low wages and that policies and resources fail to address the economic well-being of those who teach infants and toddlers.

Ashley Hopkinson

June 14, 2018

California budget includes increase for infant and toddler care but not enough to meet demand

The budget will fund the creation of 13,407 new child care slots for low-income families.

Ashley Hopkinson

June 12, 2018

Many teachers favor a more integrated early education system, national survey finds

A national survey reveals that many teachers support a unified preschool and K-3 system and also believe higher wages and professional preparation are key to keeping teachers in the classroom.

Ashley Hopkinson

May 15, 2018

More states expanding preschool programs but quality still lags

In a national report that measures access, quality and investment in public preschool programs, California ranks high for the number of 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds enrolled in programs, but low on quality standards.

Ashley Hopkinson

April 18, 2018

California to get huge boost in child care funds from federal budget

There will be nearly a $2.4 billion increase in funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant program.

Louis Freedberg

April 12, 2018

Campaign underway in California to elect a 'children's governor'

The Silicon Valley Community Foundation-initiated campaign hopes the next governor will focus on children beginning at birth, and implement child-friendly programs within the first 100 days.

Louis Freedberg

April 5, 2018

Unlike California, many states have umbrella agency for early childhood programs

California could learn from the experience of other states that have established separate departments or divisions to oversee early childhood programs.

Louis Freedberg