Why Childcare Centers are Closing
California’s expansion of universal transitional kindergarten is an important step toward improving access to early learning for four-year-olds. Expanding opportunity in early childhood education is a goal we share.
However, recent reporting by CalMatters reporter, Jeanne Kuang “Newsom expanded free preschool. Now private daycares can’t afford to stay open”, highlights emerging challenges tied to the rapid rollout of state-funded preschool programs championed under Gavin Newsom. As more four-year-olds transition into public school-based programs, many community-based child care providers are losing a critical portion of their enrollment threatening the financial stability of centers that serve infants, toddlers and working families year-round.
For the North Bay, this is more than an education issue it is an economic one.
Local child care providers are small businesses that enable workforce participation. They offer full-day, extended-hours (nights and weekends) and year-round care that aligns with employer needs. When providers lose older preschoolers who often help subsidize the higher cost of infant and toddler care the entire system becomes more fragile. Some may reduce capacity, raise rates or close entirely.
At the North Bay Leadership Council, we have made providing high-quality early learning experiences for all children especially those most vulnerable a policy priority. But access must be comprehensive. Expanding public preschool should complement, not destabilize, the broader mixed-delivery system families depend on.
If policymakers fail to address these unintended consequences, the result could be fewer child care options, higher costs for families and added strain on employers already facing workforce shortages.
California’s investment in early learning is commendable. Now the focus must be on ensuring those investments strengthen the full birth-to-five system so the North Bay’s children, families and businesses can thrive.
Read the Full Article on CalMatters here