Quality Early Learning Programs

Across California and around the country, parents of young children are struggling to find nurturing, quality settings where their children can learn and thrive.

The Problem: Quality Programs are Unavailable and Unaffordable

  • Quality programs for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers in California are too expensive for most families.
  • Child care programs are closing their doors because state funding does not cover the cost of providing quality care.
  • Subsidies to help low-income working parents cover the cost of child care do not meet the high demand.
    (Source)

Our state must invest in expanding the quality and availability of Early Learning programs in order to support the growth and development of our youngest residents and their families. 

Quality EC
Our Vision

All parents should have access to affordable, high-quality Early Learning and care settings for their children, starting at birth.

 

What Early Edge California Is Doing to Support the Expansion of Quality Programs for Children from Birth Through Age 8:

Our goal is to serve as the voice for quality by informing state leaders and the business community on the importance of investing in effective, affordable Early Learning programs that help all children reach their full potential.

  • After the historic inclusion of Universal Transitional Kindergarten in the 2021-22 state budget, Early Edge is supporting its successful implementation to full expansion by 2025-26. 
  • We are working with partners across the state to expand access to high-quality child care for infants and toddlers.  
  • We work with stakeholder coalitions to ensure that quality and professional development are included as policy priorities.

The Facts About Quality Programs:

1 billion
Between 2006-2013 California Early Learning
programs were cut by
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only-14-bg
of eligible infants and toddlers in California are enrolled in subsidized childcare programs.
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30pct-decline-childcare
In last 10 years, number of home-based child care providers has declined by

Due to high cost of providing quality care, low compensation and other factors.

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Why Quality Matters in the Early Years

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