NEWS ROOM
New Poll Reveals Dramatic Bipartisan Voter Support for Increased State Funding for Child Care & Pre-K Programs
Just as the Pennsylvania 2025-26 state budget negotiations begin; partners of the Early Learning PA Coalition are releasing new polling data showing strong voter support for early childhood care and education programs and increased state funding to strengthen and grow these services.
Pennsylvanians Overwhelmingly Support Funding for Head Start Even as Federal Funding for Program is Slashed and Faces Elimination
83% of PA Voters Support Funding Head Start HARRISBURG (April 17, 2025) - Head Start provides an invaluable service to more than 750,000 children across all 50 states. In Pennsylvania alone, Head Start serves nearly 30,000 children at 806 centers and employs almost...
Opinion: Pa. must increase its commitment to pre-K education
As the new school year begins, I feel hopeful and energized. This year, we are able to open more Pre-K Counts classrooms serving an additional 38 full-time and 21 part-time students thanks to funding provided in the 2022-23 Pennsylvania state budget. That’s 59 more children who will be leaving Children of Joy Christian Academy ready to begin kindergarten next year.
University City Review: OpEd: Early childhood providers navigate this crisis
The extended closure of early childhood centers is pushing many centers out of business forever, and those of us who manage to weather this closure with the help of donations, the Paycheck protection program, or state support, are afraid that the cost of reopening with new requirements and decreased enrollment will put us out of business. If we manage to get through this extended closure, we also know that we will need support, innovation, and a whole new way of working to reopen again. As we watch the changing CDC guidelines for childcare centers open right now and listen to our peers operating to serve the essential workforce, it is very clear that reopening will be another crisis for us to navigate.
Opinion: Pa. must increase its commitment to pre-K education
As the new school year begins, I feel hopeful and energized. This year, we are able to open more Pre-K Counts classrooms serving an additional 38 full-time and 21 part-time students thanks to funding provided in the 2022-23 Pennsylvania state budget. That’s 59 more children who will be leaving Children of Joy Christian Academy ready to begin kindergarten next year.
Letter to the Editor: Pa. budget gets it right on Pre-K funding, but more must be done to avert crisis
If child care and Pre-K providers continue struggling to recruit and retain staff to keep classrooms open, more families are going to suffer. We need to continue investing in our early care and education system, paying teachers and providers adequately and ensuring that all kids have access to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
MEDIA CONTACT
Kate Philips
215-850-4647
kphilips@prekforpa.org
EARLY EDUCATION EXPERTS
If you are a reporter looking for comment or background from one of our early education experts, please Kate Philips at kphilips@prekforpa.org.
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The Valley Ledger: Legislators Recognize Two Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers Inc. Sites Move-up to High Quality
State Senator David Argall (R-District 29) and State Representative Doyle Heffley (R-District 122) presented certificates to staff at Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers Inc. recognizing two of their child care centers in Carbon County for achieving the highest quality designation in the state, a Keystone STAR 4. Keystone STARS is Pennsylvania’s Quality Rating and Improvement System helping early care and education centers reach and sustain high-quality education programs.
WJET: Gov. Shapiro promotes youth education at 2023 Easter egg hunt
Governor Josh Shapiro is using his first Easter egg hunt to push his education agenda, especially for younger Pennsylvanians.