Effective Early Education
Early Childhood Education is essential for preparing young minds for success in school and beyond
Every family wants what’s best for their kids. That’s why it is essential that students in California receive developmental and educational support in the earliest years of life. However, for families in California’s low-income communities, the barriers to early childhood education—such as cost and access challenges—often make early childhood education out of reach.
Studies show that children from low-income communities in California are less likely than their higher-income peers to be school-ready by kindergarten. School readiness is a key indicator of college attainment and the ability to earn a livable wage in adulthood.
Without effective early education opportunities, children from low-income communities begin their educational journeys a step behind.
Why It Matters
Over 90% of a child’s brain development happens within the first 5 years of life.
Access to early education has a positive impact on academic, social, and economic outcomes for students and for society as a whole.
Studies have shown that there are meaningful positive short and long-term benefits of access to early learning.
Overview of Policy Recommendations
- Successful implementation of quality Transitional Kindergarten (TK)
- Increase overall funding for state preschools to ensure no-cost, high-quality programs are accessible to all 2- and 3-year-old children from low-income communities
- Increase number of high-quality preschool teachers