The 2025-26 Budget: Child Care and State Preschool

Mar 28, 2025 - In this brief, we assess the Governor’s 2025-26 child care and State Preschool budget proposals and provide associated recommendations. We also revisit three related policies that may no longer align with the Legislature’s key priorities.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5024

The 2025-26 California Spending Plan: Child Care and State Preschool

Nov 14, 2025 - AP = Alternative Payment; COLA = cost ‑of ‑living adjustment; and ELOP = Expanded Learning Opportunities Program. Suspends Statutory Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). The budget package suspends the statutory COLA for child care and State Preschool in 2025-26.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5088

The 2019-20 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget

Jan 14, 2019 - In 2017, Congress passed legislation that reduced the amount of the individual mandate penalty to zero, effectively making the mandate unenforceable. This change is expected to result in some —likely healthier —individuals dropping their health insurance coverage, leading to higher premiums.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3916

The 2015-16 Budget: Major Features of the Adopted Plan (Child Care and Preschool)

Jun 19, 2015 - COLA = cost-of-living adjustment and LEA = local educational agency. Reimbursement Rates Standard Reimbursement Rate Increases by 5 Percent. The budget provides $61 million for a 5 percent increase to the Standard Reimbursement Rate (SRR) starting July 1, 2015.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3276

The 2022-23 California Spending Plan: Child Care and Preschool

Oct 27, 2022 - Figure 2 2022 ‑23 Changes in Preschool Spending (In Millions) TK attendance and rate changes $1,128 State Preschool rate increase for three ‑year olds 240 Annualization of State Preschool rate increases initiated January 1, 2022 166 State Preschool rate increase for students with disabilities and dual language learners 73 State Preschool COLA (6.56 percent) 67 Prior year one ‑time
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4643

A Review of Child Care and Preschool Program Flexibilities in Certain Counties

May 13, 2021 - In particular, San Francisco and San Mateo Counties expressed concern that using the st ate median income to determine eligibility made it difficult for families in these counties —which have higher wages and a higher cost of living —to qualify for subsidized care.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4431

The 2019-20 Budget: Analysis of Governor’s Preschool Slot Estimate

May 6, 2019 - The administration assumes approximately 514,000 four-year olds live in California. The administration derived this estimate using population data from the American Community Survey (ACS), an annual survey administered by the U.S.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4027

The 2021-22 Budget: Transitional Kindergarten Expansion Package

Feb 5, 2021 - Based on the administration ’s multiyear outlook and associated projections of the Proposition   98 m inimum guarantee —and accounting for changes in attendance and cost of living —we think the state would be able to cover the costs of TK expansion within growth in the minimum guarantee.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4350

Recent Congressional Action on the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Jan 23, 2018 - However, funding for CHIP was only authorized by Congress through September 30, 2017, meaning the state would have the higher funding level only for the first three months of its 2017 ‑18 fiscal year.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3734

The 2022-23 Budget: State Preschool

Feb 22, 2022 - The program is targeted to families living below the poverty line. Grantees contract directly with the federal government, with specific funding plans and services varying by grantee. The Head Start program requires that 10  percent of children enrolled be children with disabilities.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4555