Early Childhood Education

Californians are using paid family leave at record levels

In 2025, the state increased payments for people who took time off to care for a child or a family member.

Listen 4:16

baby turned over and tucked in a white blanket

Orange County is investing $75K to jump-start a childcare incubator. Will it work?

First 5 Orange County was recently awarded $75,000 from O.C. Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento.

A dark skin-toned young girl writes letters on a whiteboard in the outdoor classroom of a home-based daycare in Hawthorne, California.

California invested billions into a new grade for 4-year-olds — without a plan to evaluate it

Experts say California isn't studying its own transitional kindergarten program, despite research that has shown a public preschool program doesn’t guarantee better outcomes.

Listen 24:19

A student with dark skin tone and brown hair in braids with pink beads spins in a chair-like toy on the playground.

Black children less likely to enroll in transitional kindergarten, analysis finds

California requires every school district to offer the preschool program to all 4-year-olds. But uptake has been uneven.

A white wall with tacked on pieces of paper with child paintings of faces. Below there's a counter with a glass tank and a hamster inside.

Can a state like California get to universal child care? These experts say yes

Stanford economists estimate it would cost the state up to $21 billion to offer universal child care for kids 3 and under in California.

Listen 0:46

Here are the early childhood services that might pause if the US government shuts down again

The U.S. Senate has until Friday night to approve a package of funding measures or else risk another government shutdown.

Listen 0:43

A young girl plays with medium tone skin and dark curly hair plays with sponge paints.

Newsom proposes $11.5 million for child-care providers affected by last year's fires

The Governor’s proposal uses cannabis tax revenues to support child care infrastructure affected by the January 2025 fires.

Listen 0:38

A blue and white swing set with green swings. Half the ground on the left side is covered in sand. The right side is covered in green fake grass. There are three swings on the swing set, but only the middle and right hand one are in tact. The swing on the left has just chains and no swing seat. The chains look charred. Behind the swing set, a children's red plastic truck is semi-melted. A tangle of other plastic colorful toys are behind it. Branches and ash is strewn across the ground.

Why is it so hard for LA's homeless count to figure out how many families are unsheltered?

Last year, homelessness declined overall in the region, but not for families with children. And service providers say even that was an undercount.

Listen 0:44

A man wearing a reflective yellow vest drives a car.

California schools now offer a preschool grade for 4-year-olds. Here's how it's changing education

Transitional kindergarten is forcing a change in the way elementary schools operate in California.

Listen 4:00

A small girl with medium skin tone opens the door to a classroom bathroom.

US drops the number of vaccines it recommends for every child

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will now recommend vaccines against only 11 diseases.

A man wearing a dark suit and tie holds his arms out. His mouth is open. Behind him is a sign against a blue background that reads, "MAHA Summit" and an American flag stands to his right

Amid fraud claims, Trump admin announces more changes to federal child care funding

The Child Care and Development Fund sends money to states to help make child care more affordable for low-income families.

Listen 3:31

A colorful pre-school classroom. Several toddlers are pictured sleeping on blue cots on the floor

Starting January, large insurers in California must cover fertility treatments like IVF

The law also mandates coverage to include same-sex couples and single parents.

Listen 0:35

Employers are required to make accommodations for pregnant women and new moms like time off for doctor's appointments.

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