Early Edge’s New Workgroup to Support Infant & Toddler Care: Fall Meeting and Key Takeaways
Early Edge California launched its Infant & Toddler Workgroup in 2024 to focus on advancing Los Angeles County’s Blueprint for Infant/Toddler Care, with membership consisting of key stakeholders from the Early Learning and Care community who have a vested interest in improving outcomes for children, birth to age 3. The Workgroup serves as a collaborative space where members can engage in meaningful discussions and strategize ways to strengthen support systems for young children, their families, and the professionals who care for them.
At the latest convening in November 2024, the Workgroup heard presentations from Child Care Providers United (CCPU) and Growing Up New Mexico.
A key focus of this meeting was the ongoing effort to implement the true cost of care reimbursement model, a critical step in ensuring fair and sustainable compensation for early childhood educators. CCPU’s presentation reinforced the importance of upholding commitments made to the workforce and ensuring that providers receive adequate reimbursements that reflect the true cost of care. The discussion centered on how to support these efforts through legislative engagement and budget advocacy, with Workgroup members exploring ways to build momentum and push for timely action.
Following CCPU’s presentation, Growing Up New Mexico shared insights from New Mexico’s significant progress in strengthening Early Learning and Care. New Mexico has taken bold steps to support its Early Learning and Care system, including the creation of an Early Childhood Education & Care Department dedicated to advancing policies and funding for young children. The state has also implemented sustainable funding sources that have led to increased reimbursement rates and improved wages for providers, demonstrating a strong commitment to workforce stability. Workgroup members engaged in a discussion on key takeaways from New Mexico’s approach and explored how California can develop long-term funding strategies to enhance support for children, families, and providers.
The meeting concluded with reflections on the importance of continued collaboration to advance the needs of infants and toddlers in California. As the state navigates policy and funding challenges, the Workgroup remains committed to advocating for sustainable solutions that prioritize the well-being of the youngest learners and the workforce that supports them. Members expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to learn from successful models in other states and reaffirmed their dedication to pushing for meaningful policy changes.
The Infant & Toddler Workgroup will continue to meet regularly in 2025, to provide additional opportunities to engage in discussions on advancing key priorities for babies and toddlers.
Early Edge California extends its gratitude to the presenters and Workgroup members for their participation and ongoing commitment. We look forward to continuing these critical conversations and working together to strengthen Early Learning opportunities for young children and the professionals who care for them. For more information about Early Edge’s campaign to support infant and toddler care, please visit our Birth to Three (B-3) page.