With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
State Analyst Says Nix Newsom's Early Childhood Plan

Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to streamline the complicated web of agencies that support early childhood in California by creating a new state agency.
Not so fast, says the Legislative Analyst’s Office.
On Friday the nonpartisan agency tasked with advising the legislature released a report recommending lawmakers reject the proposal.
“That’s primarily because of the lack of detail we received to be able to analyze this proposal,” fiscal and policy analyst Sara Cortez told LAist. “It’s really unclear if the proposal addresses the problems.”
California currently subsidizes childcare and preschool for an estimated 413,000 kids through more than a dozen programs and initiatives managed by three different state agencies.
Newsom's proposed Department of Early Childhood Development would consolidate many of those programs under one agency.
“We’re not saying that having a new department to administer these programs is particularly a bad idea, but what we’re saying is we would just need more information to be able to analyze if this is the best option for administering childcare and preschool programs,” Cortez said.
Here are some of the questions the Legislative Analyst's Office wants answered:
- What is the underlying problem the Department of Early Childhood Development would address, and how does the new governance structure specifically address that problem?
- How would the new department result in better services for children and families?
- How would it eliminate duplication or overlap of government services?
- What's it all going to cost?
STATE PRESCHOOL
The LAO also recommended cutting the proposed number of new state preschool slots from 10,000 (at a cost of $32 million) to 1,000.
“We think the State Preschool program is unlikely to accommodate such a large increase, since more than half (about 5,400) of the additional 10,000 slots provided in 2019‑20 will go unused,” the report says.
One reason? Providers aren’t expanding fast enough.
The state doesn’t have data as to why, but the LAO’s report suggests a shortage of facilities and challenges recruiting and retaining staff are part of the problem.
LAist has reached out to the Governor's office for comment.
GO DEEPER:
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.

-
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight.
-
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious.
-
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress.
-
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
-
Kevin Lacy has an obsession with documenting California’s forgotten and decaying places.
-
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures.