Chalkbeat

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Early Childhood Education

Wanna go outside?

Colorado
September 15, 2017

Less plastic, more trees: New effort seeks to reinvent preschool playgrounds and capture kids’ imaginations

The idea behind a new early childhood grant program is to create outdoor spaces that capture kids’ imagination, connect them with nature and keep them active.

Starting early

Colorado
September 11, 2017

For a struggling Colorado school district, full-day preschool — and the unusual way it’s paid for — shows promise

Promising first-year results from a study of full-day preschool in Westminster Public Schools have stoked optimism about a new financing mechanism officials are testing.

Starting young

New York
August 23, 2017

New York City child care centers are serving more infants, but for poor families seats are scarce

It remains to be seen whether the city will find a way to increase the capacity for this age group in centers.

help wanted

Colorado
July 28, 2017

It’s hard to find qualified early childhood teachers. Here’s what one Denver provider is doing about it.

Child care centers across Colorado have a hard time finding qualified staff. A new effort by one Denver provider aims to help remedy the problem.

discipline debate

Colorado
March 2, 2017

Colorado could be at the forefront in cutting back on early childhood suspensions and expulsions. Here’s how.

A proposed state law would limit out-of-school suspensions and expulsions for Colorado preschool and early elementary students.

spread the word

Colorado
February 28, 2017

How storytelling is giving voice to a small part of the early childhood workforce — men

In their own words, the men described the journeys that led them to work in the early childhood field — as teachers, counselors, coaches…

year in review

Colorado
December 19, 2016

Colorado’s year in early childhood: Bright spots and persistent challenges

A look at Colorado's biggest early childhood stories of 2016.

bang for your buck

Colorado
December 12, 2016

Investing early in quality child care for at-risk kids pays off big later, research finds

New research shows high-quality child care from birth to age five yields huge financial returns in the form of better education, health and job outcomes.

ed policy

New York
October 14, 2016

In a tumultuous presidential campaign season, a rare spotlight on education issues

A senior policy advisor to the Hillary Clinton campaign channeled the Democratic presidential candidate at an intimate question-and-answer session on Thursday hosted by…

Local roots

Colorado
September 22, 2016

In a long-neglected Denver neighborhood, an innovative preschool offers sanctuary

Residents wanted a new preschool in their Northeast Denver neighborhood, but feared they'd be edged out by more affluent families farther east.

Early education

Indiana
August 30, 2016

In 3 years IPS tripled the size of its preschool, yet hundreds of spots remain unfilled

Preschool teaches kids social and academic skills necessary for kindergarten.

Comfort zone

Colorado
June 22, 2016

Why some districts are putting new emphasis on easing the transition to kindergarten

With long-term consequences for kindergartners who have trouble adjusting to school, there's a growing emphasis in Colorado and nationally on smoothing the transition.

Early education

Tennessee
March 21, 2016

Six months after sobering study, bill to up pre-K quality heads to governor’s desk

State lawmakers unanimously pass a bill designed to make pre-K classrooms stronger.

shaping up

Colorado
December 10, 2015

New Colorado child care rules take aim at obesity

New state rules for child care centers will ban sugary drinks, establish limits on screen time and mandate 60 minutes of daily physical activity for in full-day students.

Early education

Tennessee
November 18, 2015

Power of pre-K gets boost from new report countering Vanderbilt study

States should raise the quality of pre-K programs and make early childhood development a priority, says a new report by leaders of the Southern Regional Education Board.

model of inclusion

Colorado
November 10, 2015

Growing approach helps kick preschool expulsion habit

In light of concerns about preschool expulsion rates, the Pyramid Plus Approach represents one way to help early childhood teachers handle challenging behaviors.

Preschool debate

Colorado
October 23, 2015

Landmark study sparks question: Do preschool effects stick in Colorado but not in Tennessee?

Early childhood leaders here say a major study that raised doubts about preschool's effectiveness quality but doesn't match Colorado data on the topic.
Indiana
July 17, 2015

Test yourself: Do you know the basics of Indiana education?

It's a good time to brush up on your Indiana education knowledge. Try your hand at our quiz that includes questions on our four newest "basics" posts out this week.
Indiana
June 17, 2015

City reshuffles education staff as Jason Kloth departs

With the departure of Deputy Mayor Jason Kloth, Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard’s office overseeing education programs and charter schools is undergoing a transition.

Small changes

Colorado
May 12, 2015

Colorado plateaus in annual preschool ranking

While state funding for the Colorado Preschool Program increased a bit last year, Colorado didn't improve on measures of preschool quality or access, according to an annual ranking published by the National Institute for Early Education Research or NIEER.
Indiana
May 5, 2015

Video: Experts discuss challenges of Indianapolis preschool expansion

Preschool options are growing in Indianapolis and statewide, but real practical challenges remain before early education advocates say the state will have an infrastructure it can be proud of.
Indiana
January 12, 2015

Ferebee: Low expectations are a stubborn obstacle for IPS

A surprising number of Ferebee's biggest changes so far have connected to that theme of higher expectations — for the administration, for teachers, for students and even for the wider Indianapolis community. But those expectations work both ways. Halfway through his second year leading IPS, questions remain about how well matched Ferebee's ambitions for IPS are to those of a newly-elected, reform-minded school board. He also knows he has work to do to involve parents and grow grassroots level support for his approach.
Colorado
October 27, 2014

72 percent of Coloradans say middle class families should receive help to pay for early learning

That’s how Watney reacted to a new poll that found majorities of Democrats, Republicans and unaffiliated Colorado voters support investments in early childhood programs — including…
Indiana
October 16, 2014

Preschool advocates stunned Pence dropped bid for $80 million grant

Indiana's early childhood education advocates say they are "shocked" by Gov. Mike Pence's decision not to follow through on submitting a federal grant application that could have resulted in the state receiving $80 million to support preschool expansion efforts to benefit close to 2,000 low-income children.
Colorado
September 25, 2014

Shortage of options for working parents seeking quality child care

A new report from Qualistar Colorado reveals that working parents may have few options when it comes to finding licensed care for their young children.
Indiana
September 15, 2014

Chalkbeat reporting so far on Mayor Greg Ballard's preschool plan

In late July, Mayor Greg Ballard announced a new $50 million initiative to increase access to high quality early education. Research shows that kids who participate in such programs are more successful later on in life. The initiative also aims to reduce crime and examine practices in school discipline.
Colorado
June 9, 2014

Launch delayed for new early childhood rating system

The state has backed away from its planned July start date for a new mandatory quality rating system for early childhood education…

dollars and sense

Colorado
June 5, 2014

(Nearly) everything you need to know about Jeffco’s 2014 budget — and a little bit more

The Jeffco Public Schools operating fund is growing by more than $15 million dollars this year. Class sizes aren't increasing. No programs are being cut. But the proposed budget is still likely to draw fire.

stars in the making

Colorado
March 10, 2014

New rating system on the way for preschools and child care

This summer the state is expected to launch a new mandatory five-level rating system for early childhood care providers, including preschools, child care centers and family child care homes. While there are many details left to work out, experts say the effort is a step in the right direction for improving the quality of care for Colorado's youngest children.
New York
September 24, 2012

City to expand pre-K offerings with new seats and a new school

City officials and philanthropists announced two new early childhood initiatives today. From left: Administration for Children's Services Commissioner Ronald Richter, Mayor Bloomberg, Chancellor Dennis Walcott, and Susie Buffett, of the Buffett Early Childhood Fund. Instead of waiting until children are turning five years old to start educating them, the Department of Education is going to start targeting some children at five weeks. Citing research that shows a correlation between long-term achievement and enrollment in high-quality early childhood programs, Mayor Bloomberg announced this morning that the city will open a school next year that enrolls children from infancy through pre-kindergarten — and their parents. Bloomberg also announced a $20 million initiative to turn 4,000 oft-unused half-day pre-kindergarten seats into full-day slots that many parents find more attractive. Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott made the announcements today in conjunction with "Education Nation," NBC's annual extravaganza of education policy programming hosted in Midtown Manhattan. This year's summit is focusing on innovations that have been proven to work. One of those is early childhood education, which primes children for academic success in elementary school and beyond. Children's minds are already 85 percent developed by the time they are old enough for kindergarten, a 2005 study found, and early education advocates say interventions in infancy can have a far greater impact on the achievement gap than at any other period in children's lives. In the proposed new school, which would open next September inside Brownsville's P.S. 41, low-income parents would be pushed to develop stronger social and emotional skills with their children while the children are infants and toddlers. Ultimately serving between 115 and 125 families a year, the school will be part of the Educare Schools network, which already operates 17 early childhood schools in 13 states.
Colorado
June 26, 2012

Ask an Expert: Preparing a child for kindergarten

The founder and a founding teacher of a new Denver charter school give parents some tips on preparing their children for kindergarten.
New York
December 16, 2011

New York not among Race to the Top early-learning winners

When the Obama administration announces winners of the second Race to the Top competition later today, New York will not be on the list. That's according to the Associated Press, which reports that nine states are sharing the $500 million in funding for early childhood programs. Those states are California, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island and Washington, a source at the U.S. Department of Education told the AP. Being shut out means New York will not get federal funding to build a "kindergarten readiness measurement tool" — or a test that all children would take when they enter school. The state had been eligible to receive as much as $100 million. The nine winners are culled from 35 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, that applied for the federal funds this fall.
New York
January 29, 2009

For the first time, charter schools will open up to 4-year-olds

The charter school chain that is expanding to 4-year-olds next year. State law previously restricted charter schools from admitting pre-kindergarten students; they could go…
New York
December 17, 2008

Looking back on the start of Head Start

Today's New York Times reported that Obama could oversee "the largest new federal initiative for young children since Head Start began in 1965" if he makes good on his pledge of $10 billion for early childhood education, leaving proponents of such programs "atremble" in anticipation of his administration's support. More than 20,000 youngsters participated in the first Head Start programs in New York City in the summer of 1965, the Times reported that year. The full article is after the jump.
New York
December 17, 2008

How far from complete are the city's efforts to expand pre-K?

Talking about Barack Obama's hopes for expanding early childhood education (school for 3- and 4-year-olds) Sam Dillon reports in the Times this morning that, despite efforts to make pre-kindergarten available, New York State's efforts are "far from complete." How far? Pretty far. There are two areas to pay attention to: access (how many 4-year-olds are actually enrolled in programs) and quality (are the programs doing real teaching or simply baby-sitting?). Let's start with access. New York City advocates told me last year that they estimate demand for pre-kindergarten in the city at about 75,000 4-year-olds. Yet the number of 4-year-olds who are taking part so far this year is 54,000. That represents a steady increase from years past, the Department of Education's director of early childhood education, Recy B. Dunn, just told me in a telephone interview. But it's still far away from universal — and it's also below the number of seats the state agreed to pay for this year, 60,000, a package that would cost just over $230 million, Dunn said. The picture statewide is arguably bleaker. Winnie Hu of the Times reported last year that only 38% of 4-year-olds in the state participated in programs.
New York
December 8, 2008

Principals join backlash against cuts to day care centers

Ernest Logan, principals union president The principals' union is joining the groups raising concerns about the city's plan to make cuts to 21 day care centers for struggling families run by the city's Administration for Children's Services. ACS officials have said that no children currently being served by the city-financed day care will lose their spots. But the plan would phase out some day care services next year, by forcing children who are eligible for Department of Education kindergarten programs (because they are at least 5 years old) to attend that kindergarten, rather than ACS preschool. The union argues that forcing families to switch the place where their children are cared for would have bad consequences, especially for parents with more than one child who find it easier to have all of their children at one location. Among possible consequences, the union named "the likelihood that [families] would move onto the unemployment and public assistance rolls." Rather than closing the ACS-run centers to these children, the union suggests a plan that would preserve them but would force the Department of Education to share some of its costs. In other pre-K news: Councilman Bill de Blasio is also protesting the proposed cuts tomorrow at City Hall, and Sara Mead has an excellent round-up of how early childhood programs across the country are faring in the bad economy, and why the fact that they are struggling is bad news.