In a recent episode of The Spark, host Asia Tabb sat down with Kari King, Kati Brillhart and Becky Ludwick from the PA Partnerships for Children (PPC) to discuss their advocacy efforts for better education, healthcare, child welfare, and policies that support children and families in Pennsylvania. PA Partnerships for Children was founded in the 90’s and […]
PA budget proposal boosts early childhood education funding
A Pennsylvania nonprofit is praising Gov. Josh Shapiro’s new budget proposal, which includes a funding increase for early childhood education. The budget boosts support for child care, pre-K, early intervention, and other programs – and addresses staffing shortages. Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children President and CEO Kari King said low wages fuel child care worker shortages, with pay […]
Lancaster County leaders warn of worsening childcare crisis
On Monday, Lancaster County leaders met with state advocates to discuss Pennsylvania’s teacher shortage. Heather Valudes, Lancaster Chamber president and CEO, says the shortage directly relates to the state’s childcare crisis. “The piece we are advocating for is putting together dollars in the 2025, 2026 state budget that would support funding into childcare centers in order for […]
PA pre-K advocates back governor’s funding boost to expand access
Recent data on pre-K education in Pennsylvania revealed much work remains to improve investments in pre-K education in the state. In Pennsylvania, about 54% of eligible 3- and 4-year-olds, or about 78,000 kids, do not have access to pre-K. The Pre-K for PA campaign is asking lawmakers to boost funding in the fiscal budget as the June […]
More investments needed to provide PA children with the foundation they need to succeed
New report highlights access and pay disparities in early care and education system HARRISBURG – A coordinated early care and education system ensures infants, toddlers, and preschoolers succeed in school and allows parents to work while knowing their children are safe and learning in high-quality care. Yet, inequities exist, causing too few children to have access […]

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Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children is dedicated to improving the well-being of PA's 2.6 million kids. We're independent, non-partisan and non-profit.
Only 40% of providers serving subsidized children in PA are rated high-quality.
Quality care shouldn’t depend on where you live.💛
Read more in PPC’s State of Early Care and Education in Pennsylvania report:
👉 https://www.papartnerships.org/report/report-state-of-early-care-and-education-in-pennsylvania-november-2025/
#PAKids #ChildCare #EarlyLearning
“This report is a wake-up call,” said Kari King, president & CEO of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children said in a statement. “Pennsylvania’s youngest learners are being left behind, and our economy is paying the price.” via @CPBJ
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Pa.’s early childhood education system in crisis, report reveals - Central Penn Business Journal
Pennsylvania’s early care and education system is facing a crisis that threatens the well-being of children, familie...
www.cpbj.com
💼 PA loses $6.65B each year from child care shortages — including $2.4B in lost earnings for working moms.
Learn more in PPC’s State of Early Care and Education report 👶📘
👉 https://www.papartnerships.org/report/state-of-early-care-and-education-in-pennsylvania/
#PAKids #ChildCare
A big thank you to our partners @PreK4PA and @StartStrongPA for helping us put this report together!
📘 NEW: PPC’s State of Early Care and Education report is out!
See how PA can better support young learners + the educators who help them grow. 🌟👶
👉 https://www.papartnerships.org/report/report-state-of-early-care-and-education-in-pennsylvania-november-2025/
#PAKids #EarlyLearning