Tag: Child Care

Early Childhood Education Bill Package Announced

California Assemblymember Kevin McCarty held a press conference this morning with Senate and Assembly colleagues to announce a bill package, taking action on Governor Newsom’s Master Plan for Early Learning and Care released last week.

Here’s the list of the announced bills and priorities:

• AB 22 (Asm. McCarty): Universal Transitional Kindergarten – Expands UTK to all 4-year-olds.

• SB 50 (Senator Limón): The California Early Learning and Care Program establishes a coherent framework of whole-child services for children 0-6.

• Tiered Funding Rate Reform: Address inadequate funding for child care system and need to pay fair wages for a high quality early education. Legislation and Budget action to follow.

• AB 92 (Asm. Reyes): Preschool & Childcare & development services: family fees-Alleviates burden of family fees for low-income families.

• Preschool Expulsion Ban (Asm. Rubio): Prohibits suspensions and expulsions in subsidized early learning programs.

• Mandatory Kindergarten (Senator Rubio): Makes kindergarten compulsory.

 

Mayor’s Task Force on Child Care: Blast from the Past!

Many years ago, I worked for Sacramento Mayor Anne Rudin and staffed her Mayor’s Task Force on Child Care.

When I was conducting research for my recent child care op-ed in the Sacramento Bee, I came across the report that the Task Force produced.  Definitely a blast from the past!

Posting that report here as some of the recommendations are worth updating for 2018!

A special shout out to Council Member Angelique Ashby who is working to identify city-owned sites that could be used to open child care centers for city employees (and other residents, when spaces are available).  Another shout out to Council Member Eric Guerra who is planning a hearing on child care in Spring 2018.

Two recommendations to consider:

1) The City of Sacramento needs a Child Care Master Plan that identifies how different jurisdictions can help build the supply of quality, affordable child care. No group is currently taking the lead in forging this vision, and the City could play a major role in bringing people together.

2) The City of Sacramento should hire a Child Care Coordinator. The City previously had a Child Care Coordinator, and, until the position was cut, she provided the leadership, facilitation and persistence  to build the supply of child care.