Funding and Access
Except for the poorest children, the costs of child care and early-childhood education traditionally has been the responsibility of parents. In recent years, however, state and local governments have played a much larger role in development and funding of preschool programs. More than 40 states spend money on pre-kindergarten programs, and many have directed funding to improving quality. Funding streams for early-childhood programs include tobacco taxes, state lotteries, and public-private partnerships.
Most experts attribute this shift to strong economies in the states and a growing awareness of the lasting academic and social benefits of high-quality early education.
In most cases, however, funding for early-childhood services remains separate from K-12 formulas, and, thus, has been more subject to budget fluctuations.
Even with these investments, gaining access to these programs can still be challenging. States are far from providing access to all of the children who are eligible to attend. For example, a recent report found that in Oklahoma, more than 55 percent of eligible 4-year-olds attend the state’s pre-K program, while in Nevada, only about 1 percent of 4-year-olds are served.
Federal spending on early-education services also doesn’t cover all the families who qualify for the subsidies. The 1996 federal welfare law provided additional money to states for child care. But a 2001 study showed that only 12 percent of the children who were eligible for the vouchers actually received them.
Even in the private sector, parents often don’t have a lot of choices. Many high-quality centers have waiting lists, and research shows that even in urban areas, there is a lack of licensed facilities.
Why Isn't Johnny in Preschool?
Even though Illinois is a nationwide leader in creating high quality programs and guaranteeing access for all 3- and 4-year olds, in communities where we live, only a fraction of the children eligible for preschool are enrolled.
Power PAC, May 2009
|
|
Early Ed Watch Blog
The Early Ed Watch Blog provides up-to-the-minute analysis, reporting, and commentary focused on policies that affect children's access to high-quality, aligned PK-3 educational programs for our children from ages 3 through 8.
|
|
National Institute for Early Education Research
Rutgers University
New Brunswick, N.J.
(732) 932-4350
Think tank that collects information andresearch on early-childhood education, making it available to policymakers, journalists, and educators.
|
|
Ellen Boylan
Education Law Center and Starting at 3
(973) 624-1815, ext. 18
eboylan@edlawcenter.org
Focuses on adding preschool to state school finance cases focusing on adequacy
|
|
Alliance on Early Childhood Finance
Provides information and technical assistance regarding funding of early-childhood programs.
|
|
Helen Blank
Senior Fellow
National Women's Law Center
Washington, DC
(202) 319-3036
Expert on state and federal child care and early-childhood education policy and finance.
|
PreK-3rd-What is the Price Tag?
By Rima Shore
Flexibility is key. In the pages that follow, we “unpack” the PreK-3rd concept, describing each core element and outlining a set of steps or decisions needed to cost out each one.
Foundation for Child Development April, 2009
|
Fulfilling the Promise of Preschool for All
By Gina Adams
The study involved interviews with families from Nigeria and Pakistan living on Chicago's North Side to examine their experiences and perspectives around accessing Illinois' universal preschool program, Preschool for All (PFA).
The Urban Institute July 30, 2009
|
Why Isn't Johnny in Preschool?
Even though Illinois is a nationwide leader in creating high quality programs and guaranteeing access for all 3- and 4-year olds, in communities where we live, only a fraction of the children eligible for preschool are enrolled.
Power PAC, May 2009
|
School Mobility and Educational Success
By Arthur Reynolds, University of Minnesota
Evidence is presented that mobility contributes indirectly to school performance and later well-being. The Child-Parent-Center preventive intervention is illustrated to show the benefits of preschool-to-third-grade approaches to reducing the prevalence of mobility. June, 2009
|
|
Disparities in Early Learning and Development: Lessons from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort A new Child Trends study commissioned by the Council of Chief State School Officers finds that disparities between poor, at-risk children and more advantaged children are evident as early as nine months of age and grow larger by 24 months of age. June, 2009
|
An International Comparison of Early Childhood Initiatives: From Services to Systems
By Neal Halfon, Shirley Russ, Frank Oberklaid, Jane Bertrand, Naomi Eisenstadt
The U.S. is not the only country to struggle with the direction early childhood policy should take: England, Canada, and Australia all started with similarly fragmented early childhood services, and have tended to favor market-based solutions with limited reliance on the welfare state. This report describes some of the components of all four countries’ efforts to develop policies that produce lasting gains for their youngest citizens.
The Commonwealth Fund, May 27, 2009
|
The Disaster Decade: Lessons Unlearned for the United States
This report released by Save the Children U.S. says the government is unprepared to protect children in case of natural disaster in preschool, elementary and high schools. June 15, 2009
|
|
The cost burden to Minnesota K-12 when children are unprepared for kindergarten
This study finds the k-12 school system in Minnesota loses $113 million annually because students are unprepared for kindergarten. by Richard Chase, Brandon Coffee-Borden, Paul Anton, Christopher Moore, and Jennifer Valorose, Wilder R, 1/23/2009
|
Who's Caring for the Kids? The status of early childhood workforce in Illinois 2008
The education levels of Illinois pre-school teachers have increased over the past seven years. That’s according to a study released by the National-LouisUniversity's McCormick Tribune Center for Early Childhood Leadership and the Early Childhood and Parenting Collaborative at the University Illinois. Dec. 16, 2008
|
|
Preschool Curriculum: What's In it for Children and Teachers? pdf
The effectiveness of today's preschool programs could be significantly improved if they were aligned with what we now know about how children learn in the academic disciplines of language, literacy, mathematics, and science.
The Albert Shanker Institute, 12/11/2008
|
|
"The Pre-K Pinch: Early Education and the Middle Class" pdf
Many children do not have access to this valuable educational opportunity, or if they do, it comes at an alarming cost. Hardworking, middle-class parents nationwide are suffering a financial "squeeze," caught between flat incomes and rising prices.
Pre-K Now - Albert Wat, 11/1/2008
|
|
Votes Count: Legislative Action on Pre-K Fiscal Year 2009 pdf
Nationwide, 17 state legislatures and the council of the District of Columbia embraced pre-k, increasing investments of scarce dollars in these critical programs. Another six state pre-k programs will receive increases fothe second year of two-year budgets passed in 2007.
Pre-K Now, 9/1/2008
|
Pre-K Now Public-Opinion Research Poll on Early Childhood Investments
A national poll conducted for Pre-K Now finds registered voters support greater federal investment in state pre-k programs. July 1, 2008
|
|
Effects of Preschool Curriculum Programs on School Readiness pdf
The study focused on the impact of the intervention curricula on students’ reading and pre-reading, phonological awareness, early language, early mathematics knowledge, and behavior (including social skills and problem behaviors) at the end of pre-kindergarten and kindergarten.
by U.S. Department of Education, 7/1/2008
|
|
Meaningful Investments in Pre-K: Estimating the Per-Child Costs of Quality Programs
Pre-K Now, National Institute for Early Education Research and the Institute for Women’s Policy Research collaborated on the report that examines costs associated with improving early childhood education, especially teacher quality and class size issues. June 3, 2008
|
|
Title I and Early Childhood Programs: A Look at Investments in the NCLB Era pdf
Title I funds under NCLB can be spent on early childhood education. It's an opportunity for schools and school districts to increase investments in high-quality early education initiatives, which may have long-term benefits for at-risk children.
Center for Law and Social Policy - Danielle Ewen and Hannah Matthews, 10/1/2007
|
|
Enriching Children, Enriching the Nation: Public Investment in High-Quality Prekindergarten
This study analyzes the costs and benefits of public investment in both voluntary, high-quality pre-K program that serves only three- and four-year-olds from low-income families, and a similar, but universal pre-K program made available to all three- and four-year-olds. It includes estimates of the programs' effects on the goverment, students and society from their establishment in 2007 through 2050.
Economic Policy Institute - Robert G. Lynch , 7/11/2007
|
|
"Leadership Matters" pdf
Report examines each governor's fiscal 2007 budget proposal for prekindergarten.
Pre-K Now, 5/10/2006
|
|
"Funding the Future" pdf
2005 saw more than $600 million in funding increases for prekindergarten programs. Pre-K Now presents an indepth look at the diverse sources tapped by states to pay for pre-K.
Pre-K Now, 2/1/2006
|
|
Full Day Kindergarten pdf
Full Day Kindergarten: A Study of State Policies in the United States looks at how many states provide full-time kindergarten and makes recommendations to state policy-makers on the most effective methods of implementing full day kindergarten.
Education Commission of the States, 7/27/2005
|
|
"Leadership Matters: Governors'Pre-K Proposals Fiscal 2006" pdf
Twenty governors proposed increases in pre-K funding, while some are still not making room in their budgets for early-childhood programs, according to the report.
Pre-K Now, 4/21/2005
|
|
Targeting Investments for Universal Preschool: Which Families to Serve First? Who Will Respond? pdf
Policy Analysis for California Education, 1/1/2003
|
|
Financing Early Care and Education: Primer for County Leaders
by Louise Stoney, National Association of Counties, 1/1/2003
|
|
A Stark Plateau-California Families See Little Growth in Child Care Centers pdf
Policy Analysis for California Education, 1/1/2002
|
|
Financing Child Care in the United States: An Expanded Catalog of Current Strategies pdf
by Anne Mitchell, Louise Stoney and Harriett Dichter, 1/1/2001
|
|
"Votes Count: Legislative Action on Pre-K Fiscal Year 2006" pdf
"Votes Count," Pre-K Now's latest report, finds that legislatures in 26 states and the District of Columbia City Council increased pre-k spending for Fiscal Year 2006.
Pre-K Now
|
|
Fewer Latino Children Enrolled in Preschool, Study Finds
In Illinois, Latino children were half as likely to enroll in preschool as white and African-American students, a disparity that threatens to widen the academic divide between them, according to a new report out Tuesday. Tara Malone, Chicago Tribune, Nov. 16, 2010
|
|
Educators take steps to boost early learning
By Jonathon Braden, Columbia Daily Tribune
They talk about an initiative to rate Columbia’s early-childhood private centers. They also share plans to implement a statewide universal pre-kindergarten program years from now, among other ideas for improving access to early schooling. June 18, 2010
|
|
Debate over pre-K dominates Charlotte forum
By Ann Doss Helms, The Charlotte Observer
Some members said the district has a moral obligation to provide the free service for disadvantaged 4-year-olds, while others said that Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools should find others to provide the service when federal money shrinks. June 23, 2010
|
|
Study: Md., Va. Latino kids fare better than peers elsewhere, still face hurdles
By Tara Bahrampour, The Washington Post
The report found that a disproportionate number of Latino children in the United States live in poverty, drop out of school, lack health insurance and end up in the juvenile justice system. April 29, 2010
|
|
Despite growing enrollment, budget cuts would pack more kids into pre-K classes
By Leslie Postal, The Orlando Sentinel
Florida's pre-kindergarten program would be forced to place six more children into each class next year to help offset deep budget cuts moving forward in the state House and Senate. March 19, 2010
|
|
Preschool efforts face challenges
By Josh Verges, The Argus Leader (SD)
With permanent money proving elusive, a Sioux Falls public preschool program for low-income children probably will serve fewer students next school year when the initial funding runs out. Meanwhile, supporters of early childhood education again are looking to establish statewide standards for such programs in hopes the state will pay for them when the economy improves. Jan. 23, 2010
|
|
California, local governments covet First 5 money
Robert Lewis, The Sacrameto Bee
The debate over the money highlights the increasing tension between local officials trying to save programs and early childhood advocates who say the voter-approved tobacco tax is supposed to supplement existing programs - not alleviate officials' responsibility to provide enough funds for social services. Jan. 22, 2010
|
|
Wash. Gov. Gregoire proposes enhanced preschool
By Rachel La Corte, The Associated Press
Gregoire said that under her proposed "All Start" preschool program, certification would ensure that all preschools would operate under the same standards set by the Department of Early Learning. Jan. 18, 2010
|
|
Congress axes money for early reading
By Alyssa Sunkin, Times Herald-Record (NY)
Congress has stopped funding the elementary school program Reading First and its sister, Early Reading First, which targeted preschool kids. Jan. 18, 2010
|
|
Stimulus Dollars Give 3-Year-Olds Early Jump on Education
By Jennifer Loren, WorldNow Media News, KWTV (OK)
Fifteen million dollars in stimulus money is going toward a program that would have children starting their educations at just 3-years-old. Dec. 30, 2009
|
|
Video: In preparing kids for school, Oregon suffers 'pilot-itis'
By Ruth Liao, The Statesman Journal
A Statesman Journal analysis found that Oregon's Mid-Valley early childhood landscape disjointed in part because of a lack of quality early childhood programs and resources, weak efforts in developing school readiness assessments and a conglomeration of policy makers with no clear leader. Dec. 20, 2009
|
|
Early childhood educators anxious about jobs due to full-day kindergarten
By Ciara Byrne, The Canadian Press
As Ontario swiftly ushers in full-day kindergarten in September, early childhood educators are panicked, anxiously waiting to see what will happen to their jobs, their centres and their profession. Dec. 13, 2009
|
|
N.J. policy deems 7K children in low-income areas ineligible for Abbot pre-school
By James Queally, The Star-Ledger (N.J.)
Nearly 7,000 children across the state of New Jersey are now ineligible for a pre-school program aimed at closing the learning gap in low-income neighborhoods, according to the Education Law Center. Dec. 3, 2009
|
|
Tips for the Admissions Test ... to Kindergarten
Test preparation has long been a big business catering to students taking SATs and admissions exams for law, medical and other graduate schools. But the new clientele is quite a bit younger: 3- and 4-year-olds whose parents hope that a little assistance — costing upward of $1,000 for several sessions — will help them win coveted spots in the city's gifted and talented public kindergarten classes. Sharon Otterman, New York Times, Nov. 23, 2009
|
|
Preschool subsidy cuts considered
By Mary Vorsino, Honolulu Advertiser
Hawaii is considering drastic cuts in subsidies for preschool care for thousands of children from low- to moderate-income families, which in some cases would result in parents having to quadruple what they pay for care. Nov. 21, 2009
|
|
Obama's new push for preschool for at-risk children
By Amanda Paulson, The Christian Science Monitor
President Obama's proposed early childhood initiative offers about $1 billion a year total in challenge grants to states to help them improve the quality and governance of early-childhood education programs for at-risk children. Nov. 15, 2009
|
|
Alarm raised on early education
The state's early education commissioner has warned legislators there are more than 20,000 children — including 881 Cape and Islands youngsters — on waiting lists for financial help to get into pre-kindergarten and other educational programs.
By Antoinette Pizzi, The Caoe Cod Times Nov. 7, 2009
|
Bill to link preschool with economic development
By Barbara Soderlin
The bill is effort to help children of poor families and stimulate long-term economic development for South Dakota.
Rapid City Journal (SD) Oct. 29, 2009
|
FBI reviews spending by Md. nonprofit
By Miranda Spivack
The FBI is looking into the spending practices at Centro Familia, a Wheaton nonprofit group that runs a bilingual preschool, trains day-care providers and receives about $450,000 annually in contracts from Montgomery County, the organization's executive director has acknowledged.
The Washington Post Nov. 2, 2009
|
As aid shrinks, more 'stuck' for day care
By Marisol Bello
As budget problems worsen, states are tightening rules for subsidies, eliminating enriched child care programs, raising fees that parents and providers pay, and halting new subsidies.
USA Today Oct. 21, 2009
|
Official: Preschool could be provided to all at same cost
By Rob Moritz
New Arkansas Education Commissioner Tom Kimbrell told reporters the pre-k programs could be made available to all children without additional state funding.
Southwest Times Record (AK) Sept. 29, 2009
|
Child-care sticker shock
By Casey Newton
Arizona's 2,700 registered child-care facilities, which currently pay a $150 flat rate for a three-year license, will see that fee rise to as much as $13,442 next year, according to a sliding-scale fee schedule unveiled by the state Department of Health Services.
The Arizona Republic, Oct. 8, 2009
|
More, better care
By Dale Mezzacappa
With prodding and money from the state, quality in Philadelphia child care centers has been significantly upgraded, access has been expanded, and thousands of child care practitioners have improved their own education and skills, which is better for children.
Philadelphia Public School Notebook, Fall 2009
|
Early education funding still fuels hot political debate
By Connie Langland
Maintaining Pennsylvania’s seven-year commitment to expand and improve preschool services was a prime point of contention in this summer’s prolonged budget stalemate in Harrisburg. And the debate illustrated the political lines that are drawn when early childhood education is at stake.
The Philadelphia Public School Notebook, Fall 2009
|
Out of fields, into class for migrant kids
With a $26 million boost for Early Head Start in federal stimulus funds and separate $10 million expansion, nonprofit organizations around the country are hoping to expand enrollment of migrant infants and toddlers by thousands more.
The Associated Press, Sept. 23, 2009
|
Youngsters who skip preschool because of economy may not be ready for kindergarten
By Colleen Wixon
Preschools and day care centers are seeing a decline in enrollment. Many day cares and preschools along the Treasure Coast are closing because of that declining enrollment.
Vero Beach Press Journal, Sept. 12, 2009
|
Pre-kindergarten programs focusing on literacy
By Diette Courrege
Charleston County students' reading problems begin at a young age. Schools Superintendent Nancy McGinley thinks many of these students' troubles begin before they enter school. When children grow up in an environment that doesn't support their language development, they aren't going to be ready for kindergarten, she said.
The Post and Courier Sept. 6, 2009
|
Giving Kids a Leg Up on Learning
Warren Buffett may be one of the richest men on the planet. But his daughter, Susie, has been doing some financial forecasting of her own, lately ... The investment that she's so passionate about is early childhood learning.
Good Morning America, Sept. 4, 2009
|
Lacking funds, several Head Start programs lay off employees
By Jennifer Reeger
Possible state budget cuts are affecting Head Start, a federally-funded educational program for low-income children ages 3 to 5. The state of Pennsylvania offers supplemental funds to open up more classrooms for children in need.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Aug. 29, 2009
|
Program helps at-risk preschoolers, but money is running out
By Josh Verges
A Sioux Falls preschool partnership has helped 194 at-risk 3- and 4-year-olds get ready for kindergarten, but future funding is uncertain as it enters the third and final year of the pilot.
Argus Leader (S.D.) Aug. 27, 2009
|
N.H. is poised to offer kindergarten to all
This fall, New Hampshire will lose its distinction as the last holdout in the nation not to offer public kindergarten, as the last 10 school districts, all in the southern part of the state, are required to open their doors to 5-year-olds for the first time. Brian Benson, The Boston Globe, August 26, 2009
|
Some preschoolers in the Lehigh Valley won't start class next month
By Brian Callaway
Hundreds of the Lehigh Valley's poorest children won't start preschool as scheduled next month in what officials say is one of the most disturbing symptoms of the state's ongoing budget quagmire. The Morning Call (PA) Aug. 14, 2009
|
Preschool program helps kids prepare for school
By Karen Rarey
Thanks to First 5 Contra Costa's new pilot preschool scholarship program, Preschool Makes a Difference, Stevenson's daughter and 20 other disadvantaged 3- and 4-year-olds, have been taken off that waiting list and have begun attending preschool for the first time.
The Contra Costa Times (CA) Aug. 12, 2009
|
Charter schools to admit 4-year-olds to kindergarten
By Rachel Monahan
The new program at Harlem Success Academy II is part of a fight to bring younger students into charter schools.
New York Daily News Aug. 8, 2009
|
Why Isn't Johnny in Preschool?
Even though Illinois is a nationwide leader in creating high quality programs and guaranteeing access for all 3- and 4-year olds, in communities where we live, only a fraction of the children eligible for preschool are enrolled.
Power PAC, May 2009
|
R.I. to offer its first public pre-K program
By Jennifer D. Jordan
In September, the state will open four to six pilot pre-kindergarten classrooms that will serve between 72 and 108 four-year-olds in urban communities. Officials say that the best-known approaches and qualified teachers will be used in these demonstration classrooms.
The Providence Journal July 27, 2009
|
Deficit fight may hit preschool programs hardest
By Karen Bouffard
Children would be among the hardest hit by budget cuts to early childhood programs that are proposed to close Michigan's yawning deficit. The cuts could have long-term effects on child health and educational development.
The Detroit News July 27, 2009
|
Early education takes hit in budget
By Adriana Colindres
Education advocates, especially those who deal with Illinois’ youngest residents, are trying to figure out how to cope with millions of dollars in spending cuts that the State Board of Education grudgingly approved a few days ago.
The State Journal-Register (IL) July 26, 2009
|
Paying for preschool a lesson in economics
By Lindsay Kastner
In the midst of the recession, parents who pay for preschool are being forced to rethink that decision, which in Texas can mean tuition rivaling that at a public university.
San Antonio Express-News July 23, 2009
|
State to spend $2 million to aid rural preschool programs
By Amanda Bohman
The school districts are charged with developing programs with a strong cultural component. The state also wants districts to foster parental involvement and help parents who choose to home school their young children.
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner (AK) July 23, 2009
|
Los Angeles-area child care centers feeling a pinch
By Nicole Santa Cruz
At some centers serving middle- and working-class parents, some operators are finding it difficult to keep the doors open. Even schools with long waiting lists in affluent neighborhoods say they're having to work harder to meet scholarship demand as families find themselves unable to afford high tuitions.
The Los Angeles Times July 21, 2009
|
Parents wait for pre-K slots
By Tina Marie Macias
The program lost its funding, and was in danger of ending in May. However, the School Board decided to use some of its more than $7 million in Title I stimulus funds to keep the program afloat for at least two more years.
The Daily Advertiser (LA) July 15, 2009
|
A tale of two preschool programs
By Chris Linden
In practice, both programs have produced similar, yet drastically different results. As the Even Start early childhood program lies on the chopping block, its close cousin, Head Start, is receiving billions in new stimulus funds.
Medill Reports July 1, 2009
|
Colorado child-care costs high
By Allison Sherry
Child care in Colorado is among the most expensive in the nation, with the average price for two kids costing more than most people's mortgage, according to a report. The Denver Post June 16, 2009
|
No one sure if aid helped kids learn
By Nancy Badertscher
State auditors say they are unable to evaluate how effective Georgia's pre-k program has been. The problem, they said, is "the program does not track how well children served through the program actually perform in kindergarten." Atlanta Journal-Constitution June 19, 2009
|
Kids in 'low-literacy' homes to get help
By Mark Zaborney
By kindergarten, children who live in what Jim Funk calls "low-literacy households" might have only one-eighth the vocabulary of classmates.
The Toledo Blade, June 15, 2009
|
Preschool Programs Tread Thin Budget Ice (subscription required)
Early-childhood programs remain popular among state lawmakers, who for the most part have attempted to hold the line on cuts even in the midst of the recession. Christina Samuels, Education Week, June 16, 2009
|
The Push for Preschool
By Nelson Hernandez
Preschool, which includes various programs for children ages 2 to 4, is less closely associated with public education, and its availability in public schools varies from state to state. In addition, some parents are reluctant to place very young children in a school setting. Over the past few decades, however, states have ramped up spending on preschool, particularly pre-K for 4-year-olds.
The Washington Post, June 8, 2009
|
|
LI school districts stand to lose state pre-K money
Thousands of additional 4- and 5-year-olds on Long Island could be getting free preschool classes if the school districts where they live had chosen to take state money earmarked for the service, according to a new report that recommends expanding future access through greater cooperation between the public and private sectors. John Hildebrand, Newsday, June 15, 2009.
|
Parents Struggle to Win Coveted Pre-K Slots in N.O. Public Schools
By Sarah Carr
The case highlights disparities between a private gifted-testing process for preschoolers, where children "pass" in relatively large numbers, and the public process, where very few students are cleared. The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune June 9, 2009
|
|
