This is much work still to be done to ensure the pre-K entitlement will narrow, rather than reinforce, gaps in children’s early learning.
In the wake of the pandemic, child care providers have emerged as the backbone of the state’s economic recovery.
This roughly $1.8 trillion package sets aside big money for key early childhood initiatives as part of its vast cradle-to-college agenda.
Child care is far more than just babysitting, advocates say, it’s building the architecture of the brain at a pivotal stage in construction.
California, with almost 3 million children under age 5, stands to receive about $3.8 billion in federal relief.
Under the deal, $2 billion in incentives would require opening up all elementary grades and partially middle and high schools in the “red tier.”
Preschool teachers and child care workers earn 38% less than their colleagues in the K-8 system, the report says.
Early childhood advocates applaud any increase in access to early education, which many see as critical to closing achievement gaps.
Among other measures, $25 billion is intended to stabilize the child care industry.
Harsh discipline at such an early age can have lasting consequences.
California’s Master Plan for Early Learning and Care is a template for a better life, not only for our youngest children, but for women as well.
Gov. Gavin Newsom made early childhood education a central focus of his administration.
With Senate likely to remain in GOP hands, it is not clear how much of his detailed pro-teacher agenda, with a heavy emphasis on community colleges and affordability, could be implemented.
Many providers are missing rent payments and racking up credit card debt, in addition to worrying they will be infected with the coronavirus.
In addition to advocating for higher pay per subsidized child, providers say they will call for more training and more access to subsidies.
