Early Edge Updates

Amidst a Difficult Budget Year, Governor Newsom and Legislature Reach an Agreement That Includes Protections for Early Learning and Care

June 27, 2024 | For Immediate Release

June 27, 2024
For Immediate Release

SACRAMENTO, CA – Early Learning advocacy organization Early Edge California commends Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Legislature for protecting Early Learning and Care in the final 2024-2025 state budget as tough decisions were made to close a multibillion-dollar deficit and deliver a balanced budget.

Many key services and programs were at stake and we are grateful to see that the budget agreement has resulted in preserving many that support families and their access to high-quality care and education, which include:

• Continuing to fund the implementation of Universal Transitional Kindergarten.
• Codifying the 2021-22 Budget Year agreement to grow the state-subsidized child care system by over 200,000 new children served and commits to awarding remaining spaces by 2028.
• Fully funding all 11,000 awarded expansion slots from existing child care appropriations. 
• Requiring quarterly updates from the Department of Social Services on progress made on the implementation of the Alternative Methodology for reimbursement rates.
• Requiring a hold harmless policy for reimbursement rates during the Alternative Methodology implementation process to ensure that new or temporary rates cannot be lower than the rates that were in effect on June 30, 2024.
• Restoring $100 million for the Inclusive Early Education Expansion Program.

“The Governor, his Administration, and the Legislature were faced with some remarkably difficult decisions this year. We are grateful to see protection of investments in child care spaces and the commitment to reimbursement rate reform. We are also glad to see policy changes that support increasing access to our Early Learning and Care mixed-delivery system, such as streamlining child care and preschool contracts and expanding CSPP eligibility to include 2-year-olds. We recognize that many other important programs that support children and families faced cuts. As the state continues to navigate times of financial uncertainty, we want to stress the critical importance of prioritizing our most vulnerable and under-resourced populations, including Black and Brown children, families, and providers,” said Patricia Lozano, Executive Director of Early Edge California.

“We look forward to continuing to work with Governor Newsom, his Administration, and the Legislature to support implementation of programs like TK, while also ensuring investments are being made across the entire Early Learning and Care mixed-delivery system. We’re committed to collaborating with leadership to serve more and younger children, and support the comprehensive needs of children and families.”