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 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

The 2021-22 Budget: Transitional Kindergarten Expansion Package

Feb 5, 2021 - At full implementation, we estimate this approach would cost roughly $ 3  b illion more than current spending on TK. 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

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

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 2021-22 Budget: Child Care Proposals

Feb 11, 2021 - Consistent with the actions taken last June as part of the 2020 ‑ 21 b udget package, the Governor ’s budget proposes to shift $ 3   b illion in local assistance from CDE to DSS. Figure  2 shows the programs and associated funding that would be shifted.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4363

The 2023-24 Budget: Child Care Proposals

Feb 9, 2023 - The 2023-24 Budget: Child Care Proposals Total $755 a Reflects costs to pay voucher ‑based program providers based on the maximum certified hours of care for the child and costs for the COVID ‑19 non ‑operational days policy. b Reflects net amount of COVID ‑19 federal relief funds that will not be backfilled with General Fund in 2023 ‑24 and ongoing.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4672

Overview of Federal Relief for K-12 Education and Child Care

Apr 29, 2021 - Figure 1 Overview of Federal COVID ‑19 Relief Funding for K ‑12 Public Schools California Allocations (In Millions) a Does not include relief funding for private schools. b Does not include relief funding for special education, private schools, homeless students, or education technology.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4419