Early Care and Education

Research has shown that the first five years play an enormous role in a child’s ongoing development and future success. Since most kids are in a child care or preschool setting while their parents are at work, it’s critical that we invest in a high-quality early education system that provides the experiences kids need for healthy development.

How Will the Governor’s Budget Impact Early Care and Education?

WCCF has analyzed Governor Walker’s key budget proposals for early care, described in a two-page summary HERE  Below are some highlights: Increase in the Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy budget The proposed child care subsidy budget includes an increase from the 2016-17 base of $8.5 million in year one and $27.5 million in year two. ...

read more

Smart Investment: Success from Michigan’s Great Start Readiness Program

Soon after very positive findings from North Carolina’s investments in quality early care and education were highlighted in a recent blog, https://kidsforward.org/north-carolina-early-childhood-investment-pays-off/, Michigan is getting major attention with its Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP). The program is particularly focused on...

read more

Governor Walker: Eliminate the Child Care Cliff

In late January Governor Walker recommended a policy that allows working families receiving Wisconsin Shares subsidies to continue on the subsidy program beyond the current income threshold which is 200 percent of the poverty level. In a press release, the Governor indicated that when families meet the 200% of poverty cliff ($40,230 for...

read more

Early Learning Coalition Launches Agenda for 2017-19

The Early Learning Coalition (ELC) has developed a campaign to support high-quality child care and to expand home visiting opportunities. The agenda for the 2017-19 biennial budget includes: Support High-quality Child Care Implement Quality Grants recommended by the Governor’s Early Childhood Advisory Council to increase the number of...

read more

Sign up for Emails

Your address helps us identify your legislators and the most relevant messages to send you.