- Ensuring quality and capacity in TK expansion, including staffing shortages, developmentally appropriate ratios and concerns about TK/Kindergarten combination classrooms.
- Strengthening professional development for providers, educators, and administrators across the ELC system.
- Advancing equitable pathways to the PK-3 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Specialist Instruction Credential (PK-3 Credential), with a focus on affordability and recognizing prior classroom experience.
- Improving support for children with diverse learning needs, including inclusive training and accessible facilities.
- Responding to immigration-related challenges affecting children and families amid increased enforcement and fear of family separation.
How Early Edge California is Responding
Ensuring Quality and Capacity in TK Expansion
As TK expansion approaches full implementation, educators raised concerns about staffing capacity needed to maintain developmentally appropriate classroom ratios, as well as the use of TK/K combination classrooms that may not meet the needs of four-year-olds. In response to this feedback, Early Edge successfully advocated for a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio in last year’s state budget, an important step toward ensuring high-quality TK classrooms across the state.
Strengthening Professional Development for the Early Learning and Care Workforce
Advisory group members emphasized that high-quality Early Learning depends on ongoing professional development, not only for lead teachers and teaching assistance, but also for school and program administrators. Administrators must understand developmentally appropriate practices to effectively support TK classrooms and younger children in California State Preschool Program (CSPP) settings. Similarly, FFNs expressed a need for more training and support, including resources for caring for children with different needs. Guided by this feedback, Early Edge continues to center comprehensive professional development as a core policy priority, advocating for support that strengthens practice across the entire Early Learning workforce.
Advancing Equitable Pathways to the PK-3 Credential
The PK-3 Credential emerged as a significant theme across convenings. Educators shared that the pathway to the credential must be both accessible and affordable, and that prior classroom experience should count toward supervised clinical practice requirements. As currently structured, many educators would be required to take time off work to fulfill these requirements, creating inequitable barriers. Early Edge has advocated for accessible and affordable pathways to the PK-3 Credential at the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and collaborated with partners to identify solutions to these critical challenges.
Supporting Children with Diverse Learning Needs
Advisory group discussions also underscored the need for stronger support for children with diverse developmental and learning needs. Educators emphasized the importance of high-quality training that prepares them to serve a wide range of learners, as well as facilities that are fully accessible and inclusive for children with disabilities. While some of these issues extend beyond our immediate policy scope, Early Edge continues to elevate these needs in policy discussions and working groups, partnering with organizations specializing in inclusive education to advance more equitable outcomes.
Responding to Immigration-Related Challenges
Across the advisory group discussions, members identified immigration-related challenges as an urgent concern, particularly amid increased immigration enforcement across California. These conditions are creating significant stress for families and directly impacting children’s well-being. Early Edge hosted a cross-advisory webinar with experts on trauma-responsive care and the impacts of immigration-related stress on young children. We also supported AB 49 and AB 495, which protect immigrant families by limiting immigration enforcement in schools and strengthening family preparedness. In addition, our organization participates in the ALL IN for Safe Schools campaign, advancing welcoming and inclusive learning environments for children and immigrant families.
Early Edge California knows that effective policy begins with community voice. By centering the expertise and lived experiences of those most directly impacted, we develop policies that are more responsive and effective. Through our advisory groups, we aim to share leadership, and build trust, addressing the most pressing needs and ensuring communities are active partners in shaping the policies that affect their lives.
