Early Childhood Educators Present Pennies for Pre-K to Governor Wolf at Annual DVAEYC Conference
PHILADELPHIA (March 20, 2015)– Gov. Tom Wolf was presented with “Pennies for Pre-K” today at the Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children (DVAEYC) annual conference. The Governor spoke to the group of more than 1,500 early educators about the importance of a high-quality preschool education and outlined his plan for expanded access in Pennsylvania.
“Early education programs provide the foundation children need to enter school ready to learn. My plan increases enrollment in early childhood education by 75 percent,” said Gov. Tom Wolf. “I’m honored to be among the many educators, administrators and parents here at the Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children that share my commitment to make the necessary investments in our children’s futures.”
DVAEYC is a founding partner of Pre-K for PA, a non-partisan statewide issue campaign formed to ensure that every 3- and 4-year-old in the commonwealth will have access to high-quality pre-kindergarten by 2018.
DVAEYC Executive Director, Sharon Easterling, kicked-off a statewide Pre-K for PA “Pennies for Pre-K” initiative that highlights the importance of providing adequate funding for early childhood education and showcases support for the $120 million increase in preschool funding outlined by Gov. Wolf in his 2015-16 state budget proposal. Easterling called on the more than 1,500 early educators to engage their neighbors and urge their legislators to support early learning.
“Access to early learning is key to a child’s early development and their success throughout school and future earnings,” said Sharon Easterling. “The investment proposed by Governor Wolf goes a long way toward our goal of providing the opportunity to learn to all 3- and 4-year-olds. Now, early educators, community leaders, neighbors and families must rally together and send a message to leaders in Harrisburg that we need more ‘Pennies for Pre-K!’”
Earlier this month, Gov. Wolf presented his 2015-2016 budget, which proposed substantial increases to state investments in high-quality pre-kindergarten and child care – investments that will help Pennsylvania make up lost ground and increase access to high-quality early learning programs for more children. Gov. Wolf’s proposed budget includes:
- A $120 million increase in early childhood education with $100 million going to Pre-K Counts and $20 million going to the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program. Both programs target low-income and high-risk children.
- The increased funding would allow for the enrollment of more than 14,000 additional children (approximately a one-third increase).
- The increased funding would also create 3,400 new jobs in Pennsylvania.
The annual DVAEYC Conference is the premiere event for the early education community in the Delaware Valley. The DVAEYC 2015 “Early Learning: What’s Play Got to Do with It?” brings together more than 1,500 early educators, nationally recognized presenters, innovative exhibitors, and public officials for two days of exciting idea-sharing and discussion of one of the most crucial elements of early childhood — the importance of PLAY.
Conference attendees and educators across the state are being encouraged to collect pennies for pre-k and talk to parents and community members about the educational, emotional and developmental value of early learning. Children will decorate collection containers, gather pennies, and participate in counting activities. All the pennies collected will be delivered to state officials in Harrisburg this spring.
Despite the proven benefits of high-quality early learning, too few Pennsylvania children have access to these programs. Only about 1 in 6 of PA’s 3- and 4-year olds is enrolled in publicly funded, high-quality pre-k, a statistic that has remained unchanged in recent years due to the sluggish state investments.
The Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children (DVAEYC) champions high-quality early care and education for all young children in southeastern PA. The Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children (DVAEYC) is a non-profit, member organization working on behalf of the needs, rights and well-being primarily of children aged birth through eight and their families. DVAEYC offers professional development opportunities for early childhood educators and professionals and advocates to improve quality compensation and affordability in the early care and education system. www.dvaeyc.org
Pre-K for PA was launched in 2014 with the vision that every 3- and 4-year-old in Pennsylvania will have access to high-quality pre-k. This statewide coalition includes: Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children; Economy League of Greater Philadelphia; Fight Crime: Invest in Kids; Mission: Readiness; Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children; Pennsylvania Head Start Association; Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children; Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children; Public Citizens for Children and Youth; and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. www.prekforpa.org ###
