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Topic

Early Learning

Quality early care and education are critical to prepare California children for school and their lives in general. But a large percentage of children do not have access to high quality early childhood education programs. The state restored a large share of the preschool and child care slots eliminated during the recession, and has invested more in full-day programs. Early childhood advocates, parents, and providers are eagerly awaiting implementation of a series of reforms proposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has made early education a central policy pillar of his administration. He has promised universal access to all low-income 4 year olds by the end of his first term, along with full-kindergarten. He is also promising major expansion of prenatal services, and services for children beginning at birth such as family home visits.

June 24, 2019

Building blocks: California's proposed early education legislation

California is on the brink of making huge investments in young children, and EdSource is tracking 27 early childhood bills introduced in the Legislature this session.

Zaidee Stavely
June 12, 2019

California’s budget deal takes a step toward universal preschool

Under the agreement, all 4-year-olds living in low-income neighborhoods would be eligible for state-subsidized preschool, with priority for low-income children first.

Zaidee Stavely
May 29, 2019

Obstacles deter many California child care providers from building, expanding facilities

Proposals by Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislators would provide financial aid and ease the permitting process.

Zaidee Stavely
May 10, 2019

Teacher shortage, early education targeted in Gov. Newsom’s California budget revision

Newsom proposes funding for subsidized childcare, disabled students and a loan program for special education, math and science teachers.

John Fensterwald
May 10, 2019

California governor expands commitments to young children, low-income families

Gov. Newsom adds funds for childcare vouchers, expanded preschool for low-income children, though not as quickly as planned.

Zaidee Stavely
May 9, 2019

Gov. Newsom proposes $90 million in scholarships for new teachers in revised budget

Gov. Newsom proposes more K-12, community college funds; loan forgiveness for new special education, math and science teachers.

John Fensterwald
May 2, 2019

Infants and toddlers the most undercounted in census; California wants to change that

If small children aren’t accurately counted, California could potentially get less federal funding than needed for programs such as Head Start.

Zaidee Stavely
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.

Zaidee Stavely
April 27, 2019

Statewide survey: most Californians support teacher strikes for higher pay

Public Policy Institute asked about some of the most hotly debated issues in its annual Californians and Education statewide survey.

Diana Lambert
April 25, 2019

More funding for full-day kindergarten questioned as many low-income California schools already offer it

Researchers say the greatest need in low-income communities is for programs serving children under 5 years old, such as preschool and transitional kindergarten.

Zaidee Stavely
April 19, 2019

California governor proposing more time for parents to bond with newborns

Newsom has expanded paid family leave from six to eight weeks as of July 1, 2020, and he plans to extend it to six months per child by 2021-22.

Zaidee Stavely
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.

Zaidee Stavely
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
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 8, 2019

Increasing subsidized child care and pay for providers crucial for California, report says

The California Assembly Blue Ribbon Commission on Early Childhood Education released its long-anticipated draft report for how to improve child care and preschool throughout the state.

Zaidee Stavely