Universal Preschool

December 20, 2021

How TK can help students learning English as a second language

Advocates say the expansion of transitional kindergarten is an opportunity to offer high-quality preschool to more children who speak a language other than English at home.

October 7, 2021

What will universal TK mean for California kids?

Host Zaidee Stavely discusses the hopes and challenges posed by this enormous expansion, with reporter Karen D'Souza.

June 17, 2021

Why some early childhood advocates want more transitional kindergarten choices

A California TK proposal would gradually open the program to all 4-year-olds amid evidence that early learning shapes the adult brain.

April 20, 2021

Recovering from the pandemic by investing in our earliest learners

Universal high-quality preschool for three- and four-year-olds is a proven way to reduce the opportunity gap, lift families out of poverty, and stimulate the local economy.

December 11, 2020

What's next for the new early education Master Plan?

We explore the ambitious goals of California's Master Plan for Early Learning and Care to expand preschool, child care and opportunities for dual-language learners.

May 14, 2020

Preschool and child care plans slashed under California governor’s proposed budget

Newsom is proposing to eliminate new preschool slots and cut payments to subsidized child care providers by 10%, among other cuts.

May 1, 2020

Big plans to expand preschool in California put on hold

The first 10,000 preschool slots are on hold until July, and it’s unclear if there will be enough money for the next 20,000 preschool slots.

August 8, 2019

California’s big spending push for children could have national impact

California's size and diversity make universal preschool or extended paid leave a feat in some ways comparable to a national effort.

June 14, 2019

What's new and novel in Gov. Gavin Newsom's first education budget

This week: We dissect Gov. Gavin Newsom’s first education budget to see which campaign promises he kept and which new directions he’s taking.

April 29, 2019

Bolstering California’s increased focus on early childhood, statewide commission releases final recommendations

The report sets a long-term goal of preschool for all children, regardless of income, but focuses on expanding access first to children in low-income families.

April 17, 2019

California lags behind other states in quality and access to state-funded preschool

California was ranked 14th in access to preschool for 4-year-olds, behind Oklahoma, Vermont, Florida, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Georgia and South Carolina, among other states.

March 14, 2019

Gov. Newsom's early childhood advisor describes 'whole-child, whole-family, whole-community' strategy

Giannina Pérez previously worked for Early Edge California and Children Now, both well-known children’s advocacy organizations. As an advocate, she worked to expand training for early childhood educators to better support children who speak languages other than English at home.

Zaidee Stavely

March 5, 2019

California gets boost from federal government to expand early learning

The state will use a $10.6 million grant to identify gaps in early learning services for children from birth to age 5 and decide on steps to meet those needs.

Zaidee Stavely

January 18, 2019

Episode 90: What does Gov. Newsom have in mind for early childhood education?

This week, Louis and John interview EdSource early education reporter Zaidee Stavely and Erin Gabel, deputy director of the state commission First 5 California, about the dramatic plans for expanding access to early childhood development and education in Gov. Gavin Newsom's budget proposal.

EdSource staff

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.