October 3, 2025 | For Immediate Release
October 3, 2025
For Immediate Release
Fremont, CA – Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 753 (Garcia), opening new pathways for aspiring early childhood educators to earn their Associate Teacher Permit while gaining hands-on classroom experience. Effective immediately, this landmark legislation will help California build a stronger early childhood education (ECE) workforce and expand access to high-quality child care for families across the state.
“This bill ensures more teachers in classrooms, more families served, and more children prepared for kindergarten,” said Scott Moore, CEO of Kidango. “We are grateful to Governor Newsom, Assemblymember Garcia, and our partners for making this critical change a reality. Together, we are giving children, families, and educators the opportunity to thrive.”
The bill, authored by Assemblymember Robert Garcia (D–Rancho Cucamonga) and passed with unanimous bipartisan support, was sponsored by Child Action, Inc., Child Care Resource Center (CCRC), Early Edge California, Kidango, and UNITE-LA. “
As a lifelong educator, I am so thrilled that AB 753 was my first bill signed into law as an Assemblymember”, said Robert Garcia, California State Assembly District 50. “ I want to thank our coalition of sponsors and the Governor for recognizing that there is an urgent staffing crisis in the childcare field, and this is a crucial step towards finding a more sustainable solution. This bill will offer a better pathway to assistant teachers and ensure that our childcare programs can remain open and fully staffed, delivering vital care to the 2 million children currently on waiting lists across the state.”
With AB 753, child care providers like Kidango can keep more classrooms open, serve more families, and grow the workforce of skilled early childhood educators California needs.
“Child Action commends Governor Newsom for signing this important legislation to support California’s child care workforce. By addressing the workforce shortage, this new law expands access to high-quality, affordable care, strengthens economic stability for working families, and helps ensure a stronger future for our children. We are especially grateful for Assemblymember Garcia’s tireless leadership in championing this critical measure,” said Adonai Mack, CEO, Child Action, Inc.
“Child Care Resource Center applauds Governor Newsom for signing AB 753, which urgently responds to the early care and education (ECE) workforce shortage that has left classrooms dark and unable to serve children and families. This law increases access for families while creating positive impacts on the child care workforce pipeline. Now, early-career ECE professionals can remain in the classroom and earn an essential income while gaining valuable experience and advancing their training, as California transitions to new standards for ECE teachers. We are deeply grateful for Assemblymember Robert Garcia’s unwavering leadership as author of AB 753, and to all of our organizational and systems partners that made this law possible,” said Donna Sneeringer, President of Child Care Resource Center.
“We thank Governor Newsom for recognizing the urgent need to address California’s early learning teacher shortage. By signing AB 753, the state is creating pathways that help aspiring educators gain both experience and education in early childhood settings, so they can support our youngest learners to thrive. This is a step forward in strengthening California’s Early Learning and Care system, and we are grateful to Assemblymember Garcia and all our partners who made this possible,” said Patricia Lozano, Executive Director of Early Edge California.
“We applaud Governor Newsom for signing AB 753, a game-changer for early care and education,” said Alysia Bell, President of UNITE-LA. “This new law opens stronger pathways into early care and education careers while tackling urgent staffing shortages. We’re deeply grateful to Assemblymember Garcia for championing this critical legislation.”
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Child Action, Inc. (CAI) is a private, non-profit corporation founded in 1976 to promote the education and social welfare of children and families and to advocate on their behalf.
The Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) has been serving children, families, and child care providers since 1976.
Early Edge California advocates for accessible, high-quality early learning and care, with a focus on the earliest years. Through targeted advocacy and policy development, we champion nurturing environments for children and promote the professional growth of teachers and trusted caregivers, establishing a foundation for community resilience and economic mobility.
Kidango is an early learning nonprofit committed to setting every child on a path to thrive in kindergarten and in life. Providing services to families in Alameda, Contra Costa, and Santa Clara counties.
UNITE-LA advances equitable economic mobility and well-being through collaboration that strengthens systems, policies, and high-quality education and career pathways.