January 13, 2025 | For Immediate Release
January 13, 2025
For Immediate Release
SACRAMENTO, CA – During these difficult times for Southern California’s residents due to the ongoing wildfires, Early Edge is thankful for Governor Newsom’s continued support of families and providers through the protection of key investments in Early Learning and Care in his proposed 2025-26 state budget. We celebrate the proposed $3.9 billion he has committed to realizing the nation’s largest universal preschool program through the multiyear implementation of Universal Transitional Kindergarten (UTK), of which $1.5 billion will fund classroom ratio reduction from 12:1 to 10:1 students-to-adults. Governor Newsom has been a champion for young learners and the adults who support them from the beginning of his time in office, and his proposal represents a historic moment for California by ensuring that all 4-year-old children have access to high-quality preschool programs in the 2025-26 school year.
“We celebrate the realization of UTK’s expansion and thank the Governor and his administration for maintaining the commitment to offer all 4-year-olds the option to experience this high-quality preschool program. California is about to achieve a major Early Learning milestone by creating the nation’s largest preschool program. Within his investment, we appreciate the Governor’s commitment to quality in TK programs by decreasing student-to-adult ratios. We look forward to continuing to work with state leaders and partners to ensure successful implementation of UTK within the mixed-delivery system, focusing on creating quality preschool options for families,” said Patricia Lozano, Executive Director of Early Edge California.
The Governor’s budget proposal which projects a modest reserve, also makes the following investments to support children, families, teachers, and caregivers and California’s Early Learning and Care mixed-delivery system:
We appreciate the Governor’s inclusion of these key investments. We will continue to raise the need for investment across the mixed-delivery system, including the implementation and funding of a reimbursement single rate structure based on the true cost of care. We also need to protect and expand access to the 200,000 subsidized child care slots that were included in the state budget in 2024. It is critical for California to stabilize and expand the child care industry, so it can provide robust Early Learning and Care options for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers and their families. We will continue to work with Governor Newsom, his Administration, the Legislature, and Child Care Providers United (CCPU) on these efforts.
Our hearts are with the families who have been impacted by the wildfires. We appreciate the work that the Governor and state leaders are doing to provide support during this difficult time for the Los Angeles community. We have tremendous gratitude for the courageous firefighters across the county who are doing all they can to contain the fires and restore safety for all.
Visit our new webpage for resources that provide support to impacted families and individuals including: