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

Nov 14, 2025 - The budget authorizes the Department of Finance to increase spending by up to $195 million for this purpose. AP = Alternative Payment; COLA = cost ‑of ‑living adjustment; and ELOP = Expanded Learning Opportunities Program.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5088

The 2023-24 California Spending Plan: Child Care and State Preschool

Nov 17, 2023 - Since 2021 ‑22, the state has added about 146,000 new slots, which more than doubled the number of subsidized child care slots in the state. As of April 2023, about 30  percent of the recently added slots have been filled.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4817

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

Apr 29, 2021 - Up to 10  percent of the total amount ($165  million) was available as statewide flexible funding for emergency needs in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The state has one year to commit the funds and until September 30, 2022 to expend them.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4419

The 2023-24 Budget: Child Care Proposals

Feb 9, 2023 - If cost estimates for slot increases were rightsized to reflect a more reasonable ramp ‑up assumption, then hundreds of millions of one ‑time federal funds and General Fund would be freed ‑up in 2022 ‑23 and 2023 ‑24.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4672

The 2025-26 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget

Jan 13, 2025 - Any level above zero is up to the discretion of the Legislature. Recent budgets have set the SFEU between $3.5  billion and $4  billion. The Governor proposes a $4.5  billion SFEU balance for the end of 2025 ‑26.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4951

The 2025-26 Budget: Child Care and State Preschool

Mar 28, 2025 - This would free up $37.9  million ($19.3  million Proposition  98 General Fund and $18.6  million non ‑Proposition  98 General Fund) in 2025 ‑26 that could be directed to other legislative priorities.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5024

The 2022-23 Budget: State Preschool

Feb 22, 2022 - The Superintendent of Public Instruction can set aside up to $50  million of the proposed funding for state ‑level assistance and support. Specifically, funding could be used for coaching and job ‑embedded training, developing culturally and linguistically responsive resources, regional support for State Preschool providers, and facilitation of a work group.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4555

The 2024-25 Budget: State Preschool

Apr 16, 2024 - This spring, CDE issued a request for applications from providers to award up to $33  million Proposition  98 funding for additional expansion slots beginning 2024 ‑25. If all $33  million is awarded to providers, then only $105  million of the $138  million would be unused in 2024 ‑25 on an ongoing basis.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4894

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

May 13, 2021 - The policy also reduces administrative burden without adding cost pressure, as three-year olds enrolled in State Preschool are very likely to continue to be eligible as four-year olds. Generally, income eligible four-year olds receive priority enrollment in State Preschool.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4431

The 2023-24 Budget: Transitional Kindergarten and State Preschool Proposals

Feb 14, 2023 - For example, districts differ as to whether they plan to ramp up TK implementation faster than required in the 2022 ‑23 school year. Specifically, 43  percent of school districts report they plan to offer TK to four ‑year olds with birthdays after February  3, whereas 35  percent report they do not plan to offer TK to this population.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4682