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 […]

Report makes recommendations to solve PA’s ‘historic’ child care crisis

Pennsylvania is facing what children’s advocacy groups call a historic child care crisis, leaving thousands of young children without access to early learning programs. A new report estimates Pennsylvania loses $6.65 billion annually when families do not have child care and preschool options. Kari King, president and CEO of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, said the report examines […]

Transportation, Senate Election, and Child Care

This week’s Pennsylvania Newsmakers features journalist Zach Hoopes of Harrisburg Patriot News/PennLive, who discusses transportation funding and Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate contest. Then, Kari King, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Partnership for Children, joins host Terry Madonna for an update on important aspects of education in the state: early care, child care, and pre-care

Child care shortage threatens Pennsylvania’s economy, new report argues

In its latest report, Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children found that under half of eligible 3- and 4-year-olds participate in publicly funded Pre-K, affecting more than 78,000 children. Only 25% of eligible children under age 3 are served by the subsidized child care program, known as Child Care Works.  That leaves another 73,000 eligible infants and toddlers […]

State of the Child

 

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