Brick and Mortar: The rising cost of renting and building infrastructure, along with barriers like local zoning, permit requirements and lack of technical assistance are deterring many California child care providers from expanding facilities and opening new centers, reports EdSource. California has a lack of child care facilities, according to a recent report by the Advancement Project where they also recommended that the state provide technical assistance to centers looking to build or expand along with converting state-owned property into facilities as solutions. Proposed bills AB 48, AB 452 and SB 234, which are currently up for legislative consideration, offer potential solutions and would help counter barriers by funding grants and limiting permit and licensing fees on child care centers.
A Right Not a Privilege: In a powerful op-ed in The New York Times the President of the Bank Street College of Education, Shael Suransky, gives a clear frame and a four step plan on how the U.S. can “end the child-care crisis.” In the piece, Suransky artfully weaves together the history of Early Head Start and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, then dives into the present-day and the lack of adequate care and why, according to science, it’s a crisis. His four-step plan starts with six-months of paid parental leave, then moves to adequate compensation for early child-care providers, then to child care subsidies and public financing of teacher training. Suransky ends the piece by stating, “quality early care and education is not a luxury. It is a fundamental right we must guarantee for every child and every family.”
Related article: San Francisco Chronicle: Why Newsom’s budget proposal won’t do enough for young kids - Marcy Whitebook and Lea J.E. Austin
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Breastfeeding Rates: A study recently released by Breastfeed LA, a local breastfeeding advocacy organization, found that in almost every birthing hospital in L.A. County, infants of color are less likely to be exclusively breastfed than white infants, as reported by KPCC. The study also found that rates of exclusive breastfeeding for the first three months vary widely across race and region, with the lowest in South L.A. and the highest in West L.A. It is recommended that new mothers breastfeed their babies exclusively for the first six months, with public health officials recommending it as a strategy for reducing infant mortality rates.
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By the Numbers: There’s growing buzz around new parenting book, “Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool,” by Emily Oster, an economist at Brown University. Released in April, “Cribsheet,” has prompted coverage from public radio show Science Friday to The New Yorker, and has even found it’s way to WIRED Magazine’s 14 Must Read Books of Summer. Oster, who also wrote, “Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong--and What You Really Need to Know,” gives a critical analysis of a wide range of parenting advice, weighing what is rooted in data vs. theories without much grounding. Through her analysis she shares practical conclusions on topics such as breastfeeding, co-sleeping, vaccinations and more. Additional outlets covering Oster’s book include The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, and Scientific American. Oster also recently published an op-ed in The Atlantic.
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Politics and Current Events
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Capitol Hill: It was an important week for little kids at the State Capitol. The California Assembly and Senate built upon Gov. Gavin Newsom’s vision and prioritized young children in their state budget proposals, garnering high praise from First 5 LA’s Executive Director Kim Belshé as well as First 5 California. Tuesday, the State Assembly passed the Pre-K for All Act of 2019 (Assembly Bill 123) that would make sure all 4-year-olds and 3-year-olds from low-income families can attend preschool, reports KPCC’s Priska Neely. Bill cosponsors Early Edge California and Kidango shared their applause in a press release. Additional bills passed include, AB 220 that would allow candidates to use campaign dollars to pay for child care; AB 372 that allow state workers to bring their infants to work, and AB-196 that would give workers full wages when out on family leave.
Measure EE: Next Tuesday is the Los Angeles special election for Measure EE, the 16-cents-per-square-foot parcel tax which would infuse dollars into overburdened LAUSD coffers if passed. The measure would generate $6 billion for Los Angeles schools in the next 12 years, reports The New York Times, but between chronic voter apathy and conflicting support, whether or not it will pass remains to be seen.
Popular Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez shares his opinion this week about the measure, in short, saying vote yes or you'll regret it. The Los Angeles Daily News Editorial Board however, likens LAUSD to a bank robber in an old western, and urges a no vote. First 5 LA is in support of the measure.
Implementation is Key: Governors across the country are pledging to invest billions in early childhood education, but success will depend largely on how states implement these initiatives and the quality of programs they put in place, according to a panel that featured Kris Perry, Gov. Gavin Newsom's early childhood senior advisor, at the Education Writers Association annual conference this month. A recent analysis by the Center of American Progress found that 32 governors have proposed a combined $3 billion in early childhood programs this year –– a promise that analysts attributed as a reason for their successful campaigns. According to speakers at the conference, it is up to journalists to keep these governors accountable for their promises.
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You Don't Need a Boy: While Walt Disney’s live-action remake of Aladdin may have brought in $90 million this past weekend, 4-year-old Madison wasn't having it. When mom asked Madison about Prince's rescuing girls, or Aladdin taking Jasmine on an adventure, Madison was utterly annoyed and perplexed. Why would any princess need to wait for a prince to go on an adventure? She can go by herself! Plus, there isn't enough room on the carpet for Aladdin. "This is true," mom said, "this is true."
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The Future of Children: First 5 LA's Vice President of Programs Christina Altmayer and Director of Family Supports Barbara Dubransky recently coauthored a chapter in the newly published volume of the Princeton and Brookings journal, "The Future of Children." The Chapter titled,"Strengthening Home Visiting: Partnership and Innovation in Los Angeles County," focuses on First 5 LA's investments in Home Visitation Programs including signature program Welcome Baby. Deborah Daro, First 5 LA consultant and Senior Research Fellow at Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago served as a speaker and panelist for the journal's launch event, discussing the chapter. Click here to watch the full recording of the journal's launch event.
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ICYMI: In Case You Missed It, More Great Reads
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