Early Childhood Focus

The Future of Our Children Depends on Funding Preschools Now

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:20:24 PST

When a police officer has to make an arrest or gather evidence at a crime scene, far too often he sees a small child lingering in the background.

Preschool Shapes Our Future Leaders

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:41:14 PST

EARLIER this summer, I spoke to some recent graduates, adorned in their bright blue caps and gowns, clutching diplomas tied with blue ribbons. But these pint-sized graduates weren't going onto college or to new careers - they were headed to kindergarten.

Universal Preschool Would Give All Kids a Chance To Succeed

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:21:33 PST

Summer vacation is a perfect time to reflect on the achievements of the students who just graduated from high school and to imagine what they will accomplish. It's also a good time to think of the students who didn't make it to the ceremony because they fell behind and dropped out.

Raising The Bar For Early Education

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:18:48 PST

Many of the teachers who educate San Joaquin County's youngest students are working to earn specialized degrees that policymakers hope will help improve the quality of publicly funded early-childhood education.

West Sacramento's Universal Preschool Program Gives Kids a Boost

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:09:45 PST

Five years ago, the city of West Sacramento embraced a noble mission: providing free, quality preschool to every 4-year-old in town.

Child Care Providers Honored At Breakfast

Thu, 15 May 2008 12:35:54 PST

In honor of the Month of the Young Child, Choices for Children's South Lake Tahoe office organized an Annual Provider Breakfast honoring the community's child-care providers for the services they provide to families and children throughout the year. CFC firmly believes that the presence of stable caregivers in a child's life has a positive effect on children's growth and development extending well beyond their early years. Unfortunately, child care is a profession with a low retention rate. Recognition such as the CFC Provider Appreciation Breakfast helps encourage providers to continue doing their important work.

Child Care Advocates Travel To Capitol

Thu, 15 May 2008 12:18:05 PST

Anticipating the release of California's May Revised Budget, more than 600 members of Parent Voices traveled to the Capitol, calling upon Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature to reject the proposed $200 million reduction in child-care funding.

Preschool Expectations Higher Than Ever

Mon, 12 May 2008 14:35:24 PST

Kindergarten isn't just for lightweights anymore. The expectations are higher than ever, and that means preschool children are having to step it up a notch, too. It's challenging for the kids and the teachers.

Plan to Improve California Preschool Options Highlighted

Mon, 12 May 2008 10:39:19 PST

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today joined Senator Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) and Assembly Member Dave Jones (D-Sacramento) at Jedediah Smith Elementary School's preschool program to highlight a new legislative bill package aimed at expanding quality preschool options for children in California. The bills, sponsored by O'Connell, Preschool California, Children Now, and the California Child Development Administrators Association, will streamline funding for preschool and improve preschool quality.

State Funding Not Enough for Child Care

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:31:40 PST

Marie Ettiene is on a very long list. Almost two years ago, the single mother of four put her youngest child on a roster for state-subsidized child care.

Family-Friendly Work Benefits Falling Short

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 10:47:51 PST

Diane Freeman, a mother of two and the marketing director for a San Francisco law firm, is among a growing proportion of American women who are working through their pregnancies and then returning to work just months after the birth of their babies.

Blog: Know a Great Preschool Teacher?

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:08:18 PST

Los Angeles Universal Preschool is accepting nominations of preschool educators throughout L.A. County, to be considered for a Preschool Teacher of the Year award.

Child Care is Generating $1.9 Billion for Economy

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 14:29:47 PST

The business of caring for and educating preschool children generates $1.9 billion a year for the local economy and employs more than 65,000 people, according to study released Monday by Los Angeles Universal Preschool, the Los Angeles County Child Care Planning Committee and the city of Los Angeles.

State to Improve Child Care Provider Screenings

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 13:45:31 PST

Starting Feb. 1, about 5,000 low-income kids in Kern will have an extra measure of protection to make sure their day care providers don't have criminal backgrounds.

There is a Licensed Care Slot for 1 of About Every 4 Children in State

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 10:48:02 PST

There is one licensed child care slot for about every four children with working parents in California, according to a report to be released Wednesday, which says that San Francisco fares better than any other Bay Area county in terms of child care. In San Francisco County, licensed care is available for 43 percent of children with working parents, according to the 2007 California Child Care Portfolio, a county-by-county report that looks at child-care supply, demand and costs.

Save the Children Helps Children Impacted by California Wildfires

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 12:20:50 PST

Jeanne-Aimee De Marrais, Team Leader, San Diego Wildfires Response on Larry King.

In growing Menifee, demand for child care makes each space count

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 10:11:35 PST

With Wilderness Lakes Day Camp in Menifee closing Dec. 1, Garrett Hoffman has spent the past two months searching for a new after-school program for his 8-year-old daughter, Selena.

Murrieta Valley Unified takes child care to new age

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 10:51:38 PST

Murrieta Valley Unified School District moved this year into a new area of child care -- infants and toddlers.

Child-care money drain strains parents

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 10:31:56 PST

The headline in a little newspaper called the Valley Oak Exchange sounds promising. "Can't afford child care or preschool?" it reads.

New infant care center in Orange helps low-income mothers

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 11:21:50 PST

On Thursday, Casa Teresa and a coalition of partners and supporters opened an infant care center for its high-risk, low-income clientele. The goal: give mothers a safe place to leave their children so that they can find jobs.