October 13, 2021

Universal Transitional Kindergarten | Quick Guide

Universal transitional kindergarten will essentially become California’s version of a universal preschool program, available to all 4-year-olds regardless of income.

Karen D'Souza

October 1, 2021

Want quality child care? Pay and train workers like the pros they are

The key to increasing access to quality child care is professionalizing the field by providing child care staff a livable wage and professional development grounded in emotional competence.

Donna Housman

July 8, 2021

The ‘stars aligned’ in budget deal, but hurdles remain for early education

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.

Bruce Fuller

June 2, 2021

More help for struggling California child care sector

In the wake of the pandemic, child care providers have emerged as the backbone of the state’s economic recovery.

Karen D'Souza

April 28, 2021

Biden's plan for families could bolster California's push for early education, care

This roughly $1.8 trillion package sets aside big money for key early childhood initiatives as part of its vast cradle-to-college agenda.

Karen D'Souza

April 2, 2021

Amid pandemic, infants especially need quality child care, reformers say

Child care is far more than just babysitting, advocates say, it’s building the architecture of the brain at a pivotal stage in construction. 

Karen D'Souza

March 11, 2021

What the federal stimulus bill means to California's child care sector

California, with almost 3 million children under age 5, stands to receive about $3.8 billion in federal relief.

Karen D'Souza

March 1, 2021

Newsom, lawmakers set April 1 deadline to reopen schools for K-2 students

Under the deal, $2 billion in incentives would require opening up all elementary grades and partially middle and high schools in the “red tier.”

John Fensterwald

February 24, 2021

California educators pay a wage penalty for working with younger children, report shows

Preschool teachers and child care workers earn 38% less than their colleagues in the K-8 system, the report says.

Karen D'Souza

February 18, 2021

How will expanded transitional kindergarten roll out?

Early childhood advocates applaud any increase in access to early education, which many see as critical to closing achievement gaps.

Karen D'Souza

February 5, 2021

How the Biden administration will impact California’s child care crisis

Among other measures, $25 billion is intended to stabilize the child care industry.

Karen D'Souza

January 5, 2021

Why California needs to ban preschool suspensions and expulsions, experts say

Harsh discipline at such an early age can have lasting consequences.

Karen D'Souza

December 17, 2020

It’s time we gave women and young children their due

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.

Liz Simons

December 1, 2020

Inside California’s new master plan to reshape early education and child care

Gov. Gavin Newsom made early childhood education a central focus of his administration.

Karen D'Souza

November 7, 2020

President-elect Joe Biden’s expansive education agenda expected to draw greater scrutiny

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.

Louis Freedberg