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Early Learning
Topic

Preschool

Preschool is any program designed to help 3- and 4-year-old children develop social, emotional and academic skills. Research shows that high-quality preschool programs can have a long-lasting positive effect. There’s an ongoing debate about whether large public programs can achieve the quality necessary to have a similar impact.
July 6, 2020

California must commit to funding coronavirus protections for child care workers

Our economy cannot successfully reopen if we do not support the health and safety of child care providers in the coming months.

Anna J. Markowitz, Rashmita Mistry and Deb Valentine
June 24, 2020

There’s a new lesson in California preschools — no sharing

Some preschool and child care providers are finding creative ways to reduce health risks, while also meeting children’s developmental needs.

Zaidee Stavely
June 24, 2020

Child care changes in California during the pandemic

Child care programs are reopening in California with significant changes to reduce the risk of transmission of Covid-19. This interactive infographic shows some of the changes detailed in new health and safety guidelines.

Design by Dana Amihere, Justin Allen; Research by Zaidee Stavely
June 23, 2020

Subsidized child care providers spared cuts in California budget

The budget still slashes investments to expand subsidized preschool, build more child care centers and train more early childhood teachers.

Zaidee Stavely
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.

Zaidee Stavely
May 11, 2020

California child care providers struggle to stay in business

Survey finds many providers cannot afford to stay closed much longer; when they do fully reopen, they'll face added expenses and social distancing restrictions.

John Fensterwald
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.

Zaidee Stavely
April 5, 2020

Child care in a locked down world

Essential workers on the frontlines of the coronavirus crisis depend on child care centers to keep their children safe.

Susan Dumars
February 3, 2020

We must include English learners in early education plan for California

Early education is enhanced by school communities that affirm and support the languages and cultures students bring to the classroom.

Anya Hurwitz
January 10, 2020

California governor wants to expand preschool and create new early child development department

By 2021, 20,000 more low-income 4-year-olds could enroll in preschool.

Zaidee Stavely
January 7, 2020

Big promises for little kids: Has California governor delivered on early education?

The early childhood workforce is one area where some experts believe Newsom and the Legislature have fallen short.

Zaidee Stavely
December 17, 2019

As California launches preschool expansion, federal government seeks to limit data

It could soon get harder to find out how many preschoolers were suspended more than once or how many young children had access to preschool.

Zaidee Stavely
December 11, 2019

California parents, preschool teachers learn to teach math through children’s books

A series of activities designed to teach math concepts inspired by children’s books is being piloted as part of a statewide early math initiative.

Zaidee Stavely
November 25, 2019

Parents, other experts named to guide California’s early education reforms

Parents and family child care providers are among the experts who will guide California’s efforts to expand and improve early childhood education in the state.

Zaidee Stavely
October 7, 2019

California needs a master plan for early childhood

Advocates agree with governor's call for more planning before new early childhood funds are spent.

Patricia Lozano, Mayra E. Alvarez and Scott Moore