Early childhood professionals are heavily impacted by policy change and investments and must have a stronger voice at the advocacy table. The work that early childhood professionals perform keeps our communities functioning.

Through the Start Strong PA and Pre-K for PA Provider Advisory Board, early childhood professionals will have the opportunity to provide more input on policy decisions that impact their families and programs. The Start Strong PA and Pre-K for PA Provider Advisory Board will be composed of a maximum of 30 early childhood professionals from across the state, working in all setting types and representing different roles in the field.

What to Expect?

• An opportunity to elevate the voices of early childhood professionals by providing the field’s professionals with a consistent platform for policy updates and advocacy opportunities.
• A space to identify the diverse needs of the early childhood workforce through a consistent feedback loop of what they are experiencing in the field.
• Free access to consistent advocacy related professional development, leadership skill development, and growth opportunities.
• Participation in strengthening connections between early childhood providers and community partners.
• A chance to create equity driven strategies and connect practice to inform policy recommendations that support the needs of all providers, children, and families in Pennsylvania.
• Virtual meetings once a month beginning April 2022 (participants will be compensated for their time).

The work of the field needs support. The voice of the field needs to be elevated. The power of the profession needs to be acknowledged!

Join us and impact history for early childhood in Pennsylvania!

Apply.

• federal pandemic relief opportunities for child care
• new federal early childhood education proposals
• state budget advocacy for pre-k and child care

Speakers will include Pre-K for PA and Start Strong PA Partners:

• First Up: Champions for Early Education
• Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children
• Pennsylvania Child Care Association
• Pennsylvania Head Start Association
• Trying Together

Learn how we can continue to work together in 2021 to strengthen Pennsylvania’s early learning system for teachers and programs and grow access to more eligible families!

Register here.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

As children head back to school this fall, elementary principals across the commonwealth will be welcoming a very special group of new students – kindergarteners. Principals are on the frontline of delivering quality education and report they can easily distinguish between children who attended high-quality pre-k and children who missed this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, making their jobs more challenging as they work to level the playing field for all students.

The Pennsylvania Principals Association, in partnership with the Pre-K for PA Campaign, recently conducted a statewide survey to better understand elementary school principals’ perception of high-quality pre-k and its importance in building the foundation necessary for children to enter kindergarten ready to succeed.

The response was overwhelming – nearly 99 percent of elementary principals agree that publicly funded, high-quality pre-k is an important tool for preparing at-risk children for kindergarten. Responses were received from a diverse group of rural, suburban and urban school leaders who are responsible for educating nearly 60 percent of elementary students statewide. Children enter kindergarten with varying needs and experiences, and principals agree and research evidence
proves that access to high-quality pre-k is one of the best investments we can make to prepare children for school, if children are to achieve their full academic potential – particularly at-risk children.

http://www.prekforpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/PAPrincipalAssn-_-Pre-K-for-PA-Report_Web.pdf

http://www.prekforpa.org/strongerschools/

The report examines the economic benefits of pre-k investments in eight regions across the commonwealth and concludes “few investments make as much sense for Pennsylvania businesses’ balance sheets as do investments in high-quality early education.”

Every dollar Pennsylvania invests in quality pre-kindergarten programs generates $1.79 in new spending in the commonwealth, helping local businesses and creating jobs, according to a new economic impact study from a national business leaders’ organization.

ReadyNation/America’s Edge estimates that if Pennsylvania funded pre-k for all 3- and 4-year olds, that investment would generate $800 million in additional goods and services and create nearly 28,000 jobs statewide. At the same time, high-quality pre-k helps build the future workforce and foster long-term economic security.

“With limited funds available to help businesses and our economy stay on track, few investments make as much sense for Pennsylvania businesses’ balance sheets as do investments in high-quality early education,” the report said.

The report said that investments in pre-k:
* Generate an additional 79 cents in the local economy for every dollar invested — more than many major economic sectors (utilities, mining, manufacturing, farming, wholesale and retail trades, etc.).
* Trigger local spending activity across the services, real estate and construction, insurance and finance, and retail and wholesale trade sectors.
* Stay local, helping businesses grow while creating new jobs.

And these are just the short-term economic benefits. Long-term, investments in high-quality pre-k will help Pennsylvania build the workforce it needs to remain competitive in a global marketplace.

United Way believes that all children deserve access to a quality education from cradle to career – starting with early learning. High-quality pre-k prepares children for success in school and in life. And what’s more, today’s investments in quality early education translate into reduced special education costs, lower crime, increased earnings and taxes paid over time.

Join us in making high-quality pre-k a reality for all of Pennsylvania’s 3- and 4-year-olds by joining the Pre-K for PA campaign – help us double our supporters from 2,500 to 5,000 by May 20th!

http://www.prekforpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/PA-Multiplier-Report-4-25-14.pdf