Early Childhood Education Resources

With California’s expansion of transitional kindergarten and the development of a p-3 credential, the state has a pivotal opportunity to build a teacher workforce that has deep expertise in working with its youngest learners and families. Panelists at this webinar explored strategies to transform early childhood teacher preparation in California to ensure p–3 educators are well prepared to provide high-quality learning experiences to students across a range of settings.

This webinar on California’s ECE workforce focused on the current policy climate, emerging initiatives, and funding opportunities. Sponsored by ACSA, CCCECE, California County Superintendents, CCTE, PEACH, and LPI.

In this webinar, state and local presenters shared policies and practices from states that have taken different approaches to implementing mixed delivery systems that support children’s access to consistent, high-quality learning in all settings.

Research shows that racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically integrated learning environments can lead to academic and social benefits for children, yet most early childhood education programs are remarkably segregated. Speakers discussed strategies for integration and explored city and state examples.

California is working to expand universal prekindergarten (UPK) to all 4-year-olds and eligible 3-year-olds by 2025–26 and has made over $4 billion in investments. Experts at this briefing shared research on UPK enrollment trends and delivery strategies, and practitioners shared their UPK experiences and discuss strategies for future success.

In fall 2025, California reached a historic milestone by expanding publicly funded preschool to every 4-year-old. The briefing reviewed California’s first year of universal prekindergarten, highlighting the successes and challenges of increasing access to high-quality early learning within the state’s mixed delivery system.