Early Childhood Education

California has a paid leave program for self-employed workers. But few are using it

The state has a program for self-employed workers and small business owners, but workers don’t always know to opt in.

Listen 0:49

There's only one postpartum depression medication currently approved by the FDA. And while it's known to be extremely effective, access is limited.

Your kid is melting down. Here’s how to help

Experts say play can be key in helping children through big feelings.

Listen 3:57

A man in a light blue striped shirt hugs a crying toddler.

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.

California needs thousands of teachers for its preschool program. Here's what it's like to be one

Some teachers are making the switch from private preschools to transitional kindergarten. Others come from upper grades. Many are needed.

Listen 3:50

A woman in a black shirt and medium-tone skin pinky shakes a boy wearing a large gray backpack. A door shows different cartoon images of greetings like a hug, wave and fist pump.

California's childcare sector is already fragile. Can it survive the next natural disaster?

Nearly a year after the fires, childcare providers say they need more help from the state to rebuild.

Listen 27:21

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.

California has free preschool for 4-year-olds. Higher-income families are driving enrollment

A new report finds enrollment in transitional kindergarten is rising in L.A. County, but community preschools are closing.

Listen 0:43

A student with light skin tone and black track pants and t-shirt picks up a wooden track. In the background, students with a variety of skin tones look at other parts of the track.

How an overloaded homelessness system left this LA family living in their car

L.A. County is proposing cuts to homeless services next year, at a time when families have already been struggling to find shelter. One family shares their story.

Listen 4:15

A pair of arms with light skin tone wrap around a small boy with light skin tone, who holds in his hands two toy cars. They sit on a bench next to a woman with light skin tone.

California schools now offer free preschool for 4-year-olds. Here's what kids really learn in it

California has made a new grade, transitional kindergarten, available for four-year-olds. LAist reporters spent a day in three schools to find out what students do in class.

Five small children laugh as they chase each other around a jungle gym, painted in primary colors.

Child-care providers struggle to start over in areas burned by LA fires

For family childcare providers who ran their daycares out their homes, it’s been hard to open back up months after the fire since they remain displaced.

Listen 3:36

A woman with medium dark skin tone and blue shirt looks to the distance in front of an empty dirt lot.

On Halloween, how can families keep LA’s little trick-or-treaters safe?

Most parents know the basics, but pediatricians have some quick and easy tips to keep your young children safe during Halloween.

several children are dressed in Halloween costumes including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, scarecrow, minion, Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman

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