They took out loans just to keep classrooms running. Now, as Pennsylvania’s budget impasse ends, early childhood centers are bracing to repay the debt—with interest.
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a state budget deal by a 156-47 vote that boosts early childhood education funding; Governor Josh Shapiro later signed this into law. The plan allocates $326.8 million for Pre-K Counts and $90.9 million for Head Start programs. This is an increase of $9.5 million for Pre-K Counts and $22,000 for Head Start programs.