In the absence of sufficient federal or statewide funding, communities across the nation have begun to develop their own solutions to longstanding early care and learning challenges. Here are two recent examples:
New Orleans recently passed the city’s Early Childhood Education Proposition. The new property tax is expected to generate $21 million annually, providing access to high-quality early care and education for at least 1,000 children under the age of 4 per year. Funding will also go to professional development for early educators, expansion of programs, and enrollment and outreach to families.
Atlanta also celebrated the city’s first investment in early childhood education recently when the mayor announced his plans to invest $5 million in young children. Funds will be used to improve both quality and access to early learning programs across the city. As part of his announcement, the mayor challenged Atlanta Public Schools to match the city’s commitment and challenged the private sector to raise an additional $10 million to match the public sector’s contribution.
ZERO TO THREE commends the dedicated advocates and policymakers who have helped to move the needle for infants and toddlers in their communities.
