NEWS ROOM
Governor and First Lady Shapiro Welcome Pre-K Students at Residence for Annual Easter Egg Hunt; Show Support for Early Learning Investments Across the Commonwealth
Governor Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro hosted high-quality pre-k classrooms from across the commonwealth at the annual Easter egg hunt at the Governor’s Residence. Preschool students from Montgomery County Intermediate Unit in Norristown, Summit Early Learning in Mifflinburg, and Touching the Future in Fleetwood were in attendance for the festivities.
Shapiro Budget Offers Progress
Early Education Advocates Warn Historic Early Childhood Staffing Shortages will Persist HARRISBURG, PA (February 6, 2024)–Today, the principal partners of Early Learning Pennsylvania (ELPA), a statewide coalition of advocates focused on supporting young...
Public Opinion: Op-Ed: Our Workforce Skills Gap
A skills gap among our workforce threatens our future economy … both here in Franklin County and across the Commonwealth. Boosting access to high quality pre-K and investing more long-term state funding through Pennsylvania’s fair education funding formula will address these inequities and help to close the skills gap ensuring a brighter economic future for all.
The Intelligencer: Give every child a good start for learning
I believe in the promise of every kindergartner, but it saddens me to think that some have a late start on the journey to graduation day. With high-quality pre-K, every child in Pennsylvania starts a lifetime of learning, preparing to contribute to the community and pursue their dreams.
Lehigh Valley: LTE: Reopening child care centers will be difficult for owners
Now, more than a decade later, being able to reopen after this health crisis hinges on my 15 employees and the parents of 85 children feeling comfortable returning to work in a post-COVID-19 world.
Lehigh Valley Live: LTE: Gov. Wolf’s ‘pay them more’ comment insensitive to small business owners
The frustration comes when Gov. Wolf says, “If you want your staff to come back, just pay them more.” I would love to, governor, but where are we supposed to get that money when subsidy reimbursement rates are not increased for child care centers? Or when private-pay families would have to be charged more, yet many of them are now unemployed, and therefore do not need child care?
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.
LOGO FILES
York County teachers celebrate new Pre-K classroom
State officials joined the staff to celebrate a new pre-k classroom. This was made possible by an extra $79 million in this year’s budget. The new space makes early education accessible to more families.
PennLive: Capitol Christmas Tree ceremony returns: Watch the lighting of the 20-foot tree
After a short hiatus, the Pa. Capitol Christmas tree lighting returned for a special holiday ceremony inside the Rotunda on Monday.


