Pre-K for PA launched in January 2014 as a non-partisan issue campaign. Our goal is that, every at-risk child will have access to a high-quality pre-kindergarten program and middle-income families will more easily afford these services for their children. But we cannot do it alone! Please join our campaign community of more than 20,000 supporters, 600 organizations, and over 130 Leadership Council members who all believe that investing in our children is the right choice and an urgent necessity. Together we can make it happen!
NEWS
State Budget Delivers Modest Gains for the Early Learning Workforce but Leaves Out Critical Supports for Pennsylvania’s Youngest Children
Today, the principal partners of Early Learning Pennsylvania (ELPA), a statewide coalition of advocates, expressed appreciation for some small steps forward in addressing early education workforce shortages in the 2026–27 state budget. They also emphasized that the commonwealth must do far more to support programs such as infant and toddler Early Intervention to ensure that every Pennsylvania child from birth to age five has access to affordable, high-quality early care and education by 2030.
Erie County Business, Civic Leaders Warn of Unrelenting Child Care Crisis Caused by Teacher Shortages
Standing at their City Center site with two closed classrooms behind them, Early Connections CEO Stacey Hellmann joined state and local leaders today to spotlight an unrelenting child care staffing crisis that is leaving hundreds of Erie County children without care and parents sidelined from the workforce.
Start Strong PA & Pre-K for PA Condemn Disproportionate Federal Freeze on Child Care Funds
In response to the federal administration’s decision to freeze Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) payments in five states, the Start Strong PA and Pre-K for PA campaigns issue the following statement:
Early Education Budget Investments Make Progress on Teacher Shortage Crisis
Today, the principal partners of Early Learning Pennsylvania (ELPA), a statewide coalition of advocates focused on supporting young Pennsylvanians from birth to age five, applauded the 2025-26 state budget’s focus on children and early education workforce investments, vital commitments finalized after prolonged negotiations.
Pennsylvania Head Start Providers Celebrate 60 Years, Sound Alarm on Budget Crisis Jeopardizing Early Learning
Today, the Pennsylvania Head Start Association, alongside bipartisan legislative leaders and providers from across the state, celebrated the 60th anniversary of the national Head Start program while issuing an urgent warning about the devastating impact of the ongoing state budget impasse and federal government shutdown on early childhood education.
SWPA Chambers of Commerce Call on State Lawmakers to Fix the Child Care Teacher Shortage that is Limiting Care Options for Working Parents
Local chamber of commerce leaders, child care teachers and working parents gathered via Zoom to discuss how the ongoing child care teacher shortage, driven by unlivable wages, is forcing classrooms to close and leaving working families scrambling to find care. Participants urged lawmakers to prioritize child care in the 2025-2026 state budget by including Governor Shapiro’s proposal to invest $55 million in a new and recurring Child Care Recruitment and Retention line item to boost the pay of the Commonwealth’s child care teachers by $1,000.