Blog

Understanding AB 495: Staying Clear and Confident

California’s early learning landscape changes quickly, and it’s easy for information to get mixed up. Assembly Bill 495 has raised questions in the field, often because early reports didn’t explain the details clearly. Assembly Bill 495, known as the Family Preparedness Plan... Continue Reading

What’s New in Early Learning Policy: Key Bills Signed This Month

As we head into the final days of the Governor signing, and occasionally vetoing, bills that have made it to his desk, this has been a big year for early learning, and we're proud that EveryChild California members and partners helped shape so many of these efforts. Through countless... Continue Reading

Understanding the Shutdown’s Impact on Child Care and Families

As of midnight, the federal government has entered a shutdown. While its impact on early childhood education may not be immediate, the risks for children, families, and providers grow each day the stalemate continues. Why This Matters for Early Learning Many programs at the heart of early... Continue Reading

Lessons from New Mexico: A Roadmap for Universal Child Care

New Mexico’s child-care story illustrates what becomes possible when families, educators, and policymakers share a common purpose. Since taking office, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has made early learning a centerpiece of her agenda. This focus has moved from promise to policy,... Continue Reading

Keeping Kids Safe This Fall: Water Safety and Pool Recalls Every Provider Should Know

Even as we settle into the crisp days of Fall, safety remains a year-round priority for child care providers. While many think of water safety as a summertime concern, the truth is drowning can happen silently, quickly, and in as little as two inches of water, no matter the season. That's why the... Continue Reading

California as a Donor State: What It Means for Early Education

California has long been known for its generosity, and that holds true on a national scale. Year after year, our state sends more money to the federal government than it receives in return. In fact, looking at the last nine years (excluding temporary COVID relief funds), California contributed... Continue Reading

California’s Teacher Workforce: What the Latest Data Tells Us About Staffing, Pay, and Equity

The Public Policy Institute of California’s (PPIC) report on Teacher Staffing Trends takes a close look at who is teaching our kids and how school resources are being used. It’s more than just a summary of past studies, it’s grounded in a fresh, quantitative analysis of... Continue Reading

New Chapter for ECE Voices, and I’m Excited to Lead It!

Hello ECE Voices Community, My name is Alicia Castaneda Hatfield, and I’m honored to join EveryChild California as your Government Relations Coordinator. I will help lead ECE Voices into its next chapter, and this work is deeply personal to me. I'm thrilled to step into this role at such a... Continue Reading

CDE Resources for California State Preschool Program Contractors on Immigration Enforcement

This is an email message from the California Department of Education (CDE), Early Education Division (EED). Attention: Executive Directors and Program Directors of all California State Preschool Programs In response to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in Los Angeles,... Continue Reading

SB 120 and the State Budget: What Early Educators Need to Know

Governor Gavin Newsom signed the 2025–26 California state budget, SB 131, on Friday, June 27, 2025. On that date, the Governor also signed several Trailer Bills, including Senate Bill 120, which includes all early care and education budget provisions. The provisions in Senate Bill 120... Continue Reading

Support Systems for Educators: The Foundation of a Thriving ECE Workforce

As California's Early Childhood Education (ECE) landscape continues to evolve, shaped by new funding structures, workforce expectations, and increased demands on providers, one truth remains constant: early educators are the backbone of our state's educational foundation. Yet these dedicated... Continue Reading

The Trump Administration’s Education Funding Freeze: What It Means for ECE

The Trump administration has announced a freeze of $6.8 billion in federal education funding already approved by Congress. While the freeze most directly targets K–12 school districts, the ripple effects could reach Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and early learning programs—key areas... Continue Reading