Source: Preschool California

This Monday, President Obama released his budget proposal for fiscal year 2011, providing a blueprint for next year’s funding priorities. Building upon his earlier commitment to a comprehensive Zero to Five plan, the President proposed significant investments in early childhood programs, including a $989 million increase for Head Start and Early Head Start to maintain American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding levels. His proposal also included a $1.6 billion increase in the Child Care and Development Block Grant and support for pending legislation that would provide $8.9 billion over 10 years for the Early Learning Challenge Fund.

We have already seen ARRA funds for these programs put to good use. One example is our Agency, which received approximately $3.2 million in stimulus funds. This nearly doubled the number of low-income infants, toddlers and prenatal women it serves, and created new jobs. In all, 153 new early childhood education spaces and 31 teachers/caretakers, home visitors and staff positions have been created.

The President’s budget proposal is a critical first step for our young learners.