In The Media:

Currently, 12 percent of 4-year-olds in Pennsylvania are enrolled in state-funded pre-K programs. Meanwhile, the state provides pre-K to 5 percent of 3-year-olds, and 7,138 children under the age of three are enrolled in Early Head Start programs. Despite budget cuts to statewide early childhood programs in 2012-2013, state leaders and community advocates continue to rally for expanding access to early childhood opportunities. Additionally, the average annual cost of center-based infant care in the state is $10,319. Advocates in Pennsylvania recently started a campaign to get greater access to high-quality pre-K programs for all 3- and 4-year-olds in the state. Meanwhile, early childhood education is emerging as a top issue in this year’s gubernatorial race with members of the “Pre-K for PA” coalition, which includes military, business and law enforcement leaders “urging all the candidates for [Pennsylvania] governor to learn more about the social and economic benefits of investing in early childhood education.”