Early Ed Roundup: Week of August 4 – August 8

Massachusetts Governor Signs Universal Pre-K Into Law

Universal pre-k is now a reality in Massachusetts — on paper, at least. Last week, Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick signed the Act Relative to Early Education and Care, which formally establishes a Department of Early Education and Care and establishes a pre-kindergarten program available to all three- and four-year olds in the state. The bill, however, does not come with funding for new pre-k classes. Massachusetts boosted its pre-k budget by $3 million this year, though a state budget shortfall thwarted proposals for much more substantial increases. Nearly 18,000 – or about 10 percent – of the state’s three- and four- year olds are enrolled in public pre-k classes.

Challenges for Preschools as Population of Young Hispanics Grows

One in four children under age five is Hispanic, according to data released last spring by the Census bureau. This week, the Washington Post describes how this population growth will likely affect local school systems, including a growing need for English as a Second Language professionals and how changes that will impact non-minority children. The number of Hispanic children attending preschool classes is growing too, though half of Hispanic children under five stay home with family members, and Hispanic youngsters are less likely than those from other ethnic groups to attend pre-k.

Minnesota Launches Childcare Rating System

Minnesota is piloting a childcare quality rating system, Parent Aware,that helps parents find quality childcare programs and offers information about state childcare funding programs for low-income families. More than 200 providers have signed up to participate in the program, which begins this year in a low-income neighborhood of Minneapolis, St. Paul, a Minneapolis suburb, and two rural counties. Childcare providers say that they have been working with the program to improve the quality standards at their facilities. Quality rating scales are an important tool for improving the quality of childcare in a state, improving parents’ ability to make informed choices among providers, and integrating community-based childcare into state pre-k programs. Minnesota joins 30 other states that have implemented or are experimenting with quality rating systems for childcare providers in their state.