Media Coverage |
May 1, 2020
| EdSource
Big plans to expand preschool in California put on hold
Advocates push California Legislature to avoid cuts to early education
Early Edge CA Executive Director, Patricia Lozano, was quoted in an article from EdSource regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on thousands of new preschool slots that California planned in 2020 and 2021.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s big plans for expanding child care and preschool have hit a big roadblock — the coronavirus. Ten thousand more California 4-year-olds were expected to be able to enroll in state-subsidized preschool for the first time this year, beginning in April. Newsom hoped to add another 20,000 over the next two years. Newsom also had invested millions in expanding child care for younger children.
“We understand that new investments may not happen, but we will advocate for keeping what we have, especially because more than ever, if people are losing jobs, they won’t be able to pay for pre-K,” said Patricia Lozano, Executive Director of Early Edge California, a nonprofit organization that advocates for more high quality early learning programs in the state. “At least keeping the programs we have, especially for low-income kids, is going to be crucial.”