Wave Staff Report
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles board of education unanimously supported the expansion of early learning programs, including infant centers, toddler programs and dual language preschool programs.
The resolution, authored by board member Kelly Gonez, called for an expansion plan that would address demand for expanded care and early education, as well as increase supports and engagement with parents and families starting at birth across the district. All board members cosponsored the resolution.
The forthcoming plan will include reopening formerly shuttered centers, doubling the number of infant programs, increasing dual language preschool programs and strengthening partnerships with external providers, including family home providers.
“Early learning provides a transformative foundation for our children, and this action ensures we are empowering and supporting our families and communities by expanding access to high-quality programs from birth,” Gonez said. “The district will look strategically across Los Angeles at where there is unmet demand for early education offerings and leverage our amazing programs to provide our babies, toddlers, and preschoolers the care, play, and learning opportunities that promote wellbeing and educational success.”
“Our youngest learners deserve a strong start, and that begins well before kindergarten,” acting Superintendent Andrés E. Chait said. “By expanding access to high-quality early learning, we are investing in the long-term success of our students, strengthening families, and building a more equitable future for our communities.”
“The state of California is taking early childhood education seriously, and Los Angeles Unified wants to be a point of reference for it,” said school board President Scott M. Schmerelson. “With the passing of universal transitional kindergarten at the state level, our district wants to go a step further. We want to be able to provide for the most underresourced communities in Los Angeles by providing educational opportunities in infant care, preschool, and more.”
“As a district that is dedicated to equity and long-term student success, we must invest early, support families and expand access to high-quality early education where it is needed most,” school board Vice President Rocío Rivas said.
“Every child deserves a strong foundation and the earliest years matter most,” board member Sherlett Newbill said. “Expanding early learning opportunities is one of the most powerful ways we can support long term student success. This resolution ensures we are investing in our youngest learners and giving families the support they need from the beginning.”
“Early childhood education is one of the most powerful investments we can make in our students, families, and communities,” board member Nick Melvoin said. “I’m proud to cosponsor this resolution to strengthen and expand access to high-quality preschool and other early learning opportunities.”
“As a former teacher and a mom of three, I know firsthand how hard it can be to find reliable and affordable childcare,” said board member Karla Griego. “I am also excited about the potential Early Education CTE pathway for our high school and adult education students. That’s why I’m proud to cosponsor this resolution as it helps address a critical gap and real need in our communities by supporting the expansion of early education and infant centers.”
“As a mother of two children 3 years old and under, I know the critical value of LAUSD providing high-quality, affordable early childhood education,” board member Tanya Ortiz Franklin added. “I am proud and excited to support this resolution, as it, in part, builds on the The Parental Package I introduced last year, to support our employee-parents at all stages of family planning, including expanding our infant and toddler early learning programs. I look forward to our staff’s recommendations on how we can meet the needs of our entire community, focused on our youngest learners.”
