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 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

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

Jan 13, 2025 - The reason for the reduction is the recent voter approval of Proposition  35 (2024), which requires the state to spend less MCO tax money on offsetting General Fund spending and more money on provider rate increases.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4951

The 2024-25 Budget: State Preschool

Apr 16, 2024 - With this approach, providers had to serve a specified number of children to fully earn the contract. If a provider did not earn a contract, funds would be returned to the state. The 2023 ‑24 budget temporarily extended the pandemic-related reimbursement flexibility until June 30, 2025.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4894

The 2022-23 Budget: State Preschool

Feb 22, 2022 - Children are eligible for State Preschool if their family earns less than 85  percent of the state median income. Participating children either receive a part ‑day or full ‑day option. Providers are funded based on a child ’s attendance in the program, with higher levels of funding —known as an “adjustment factor ” —for certain children, such as dual language learners and children with disabilities.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4555

The 2025-26 Budget: Child Care and State Preschool

Mar 28, 2025 - Under this approach, providers had to have a specified amount of attendance to fully earn their contract. Any unearned funds would be returned to the state and could be redistributed to other providers that had capacity to serve more children.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5024

The 2023-24 Budget: Child Care Proposals

Feb 9, 2023 - The Governor’s proposal to delay the slot expansion plan by not adding additional child care slots in 2023‑24 would save $134 million General Fund. The proposed delay in the slot expansion plan seems reasonable given state’s budget problem.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4672

The 2021-22 Budget: Transitional Kindergarten Expansion Package

Feb 5, 2021 - Income Eligibility A family of three must generally earn at or below $73,885. Program Duration Must operate at least 180 days per year, at least three hours per day but determined by district. Must operate at least 246 days per year, 6.5 hours per day for full ‑day program; at least 175 days per year, 3 hours per day for part ‑day program.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4350