PRESS RELEASES & ADVISORIES
Surveys Find Devastating Impacts of State Budget Impasse on Pennsylvania’s Early Learning Providers
Surveys Find Devastating Impacts of State Budget Impasse on Pennsylvania’s Early Learning Providers Documented to date: $20 Million in Loans; 4,000 Children Shut Out Harrisburg, PA (October 17, 2025) – Recent surveys conducted by the Pre-K for PA and Start...
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.
PA 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 in Philadelphia 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.
Early Learning PA Coalition Applauds Pennsylvania House for the Passage of House Bill 1330 Prioritizing Early Care and Learning
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 Pennsylvania House’s bipartisan passage of House Bill 1330 this evening, which includes Governor Shapiro’s proposed investments in the early care and learning workforce.
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...
Working Families & Employers Win With Shapiro Early Education Budget Investments
HARRISBURG, PA (February 4, 2025) – 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 early education workforce investments included...
Pre-K Students Join Governor Shapiro, First Lady, and Lieutenant Governor Davis at Tree-Lighting Ceremony
HARRISBURG (December 10, 2024) — The Pre-K for PA campaign joined Governor Shapiro, First Lady, and Lieutenant Governor Davis at the Pennsylvania Capitol tree lighting ceremony to mark the official start of the holiday season today. The 24-foot Douglas Fir Christmas...
State Budget Fails to Address Crisis in Early Childhood Sector to the Detriment of Working Families and Employers
HARRISBURG, PA (July 11, 2024) – Today, the principal partners of the Pre-K for PA and Start Strong PA Campaigns issued the following statements regarding Senate Bill 1001 that awaits the expected signature of Governor Shapiro to become the enacted 2024-25...
PA Legislative Latino Caucus, First Up, and Latino Educando Juntos Urge Investments Needed for Early Learning Teacher Recruitment and Retention
PA Legislative Latino Caucus Chairman Rep. Danilo Burgos, Hispanic child care providers and families rallied today at the Capitol along with allies Sen. David Argall, Sen. Jimmy Dillon, Sen. Tim Kearney, Rep. Donna Bullock, Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, Rep. Justin Flemming, Rep. Dane Watro, and other advocates to underscore how a growing early care and education teacher shortage, driven by low compensation, is closing classrooms and programs throughout Pennsylvania and driving up waitlists for working families.
