Access to Quality Childhood Care and Education

Why is this a priority?
Research shows that providing high quality education for young children yields significant long-term sustainable benefits for children.

Goal 3: Increase access to affordable, high-quality early childhood care and education programs

Families with working parents need to be able to access affordable, high quality childcare so that parents are able to go to their jobs without worrying about the health and safety of their children. Children need access to quality early care and education to ensure that they are ready for school and equipped for long-term success. Provision of high quality care may also prevent missed working days due to not finding appropriate childcare, which may lead to decreases in income. Research has shown that quality childhood education before the age of five has long-term sustainable benefits for children.

Goal 4: Increase use of Children’s Savings Accounts

Children's Savings Accounts, long-term saving or investment accounts designed for post secondary education, have been proven to have a positive impact on children's social-emotional development and increase college expectations. Empirical data on the use of these accounts had also showed that they help decrease maternal depression and increase a mother's engagement with their children and their children's education. This includes increased college expectations for both the parent and the child. In fact, children with just $500 or less saved for college are 3 times more likely to go to college and 4 times more likely to graduate than those without savings. Studies have also showed how the use of these accounts had a greater impact on low-income children and children with less educated mothers. All these factors help decrease risk and build foundations for economic mobility for future workforce.

Goal 3 & 4 Health Indicators

The following health indicators track Santa Cruz County's progress and current status on improving quality early childhood care and education.
Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 10.9% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 15.8% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 21.0%. Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 10.9% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 15.8% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 21.0%.
Children Living Below Poverty Level
Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 86.2% which is in the 2nd worst quartile of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value higher than 87.4% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 84.5%. Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 86.2% which is in the 2nd worst quartile of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value higher than 87.4% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 84.5%.
High School Graduation
Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 37% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value higher than 37% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 31%. Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 37% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value higher than 37% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 31%.
3rd Grade Students Proficient in English/Language Arts

County: Santa Cruz

(Compared to CA Counties)

 
          Objective 3.1                    
Increase to 80% the number of children for whom licensed care is available where it is most needed by 2023.

How We Will Accomplish This Objective

Increase capacity of affordable early childhood care and education programs

Jan
2023

  • Support new child care providers through the state licensing program

  • Increase federal, state, local, and private investment in system of subsidized early care and education programs

  • Support expansion of subsidized infant/toddler child care slots

  • Support expansion of subsidized Pre-K child care slots

 
          Objective 3.2                    
Strengthen workforce and improve quality of child care by 2023.

How We Will Accomplish This Objective

Promote quality standards within the early care and education community to match geographically with the expansion of licensed providers

Jan
2023

  • Support child care providers' participation in the CA Quality Rating and Improvement System

  • Support child care providers to increase their CA Quality Rating and Improvement System rating

  • Increase early learning teachers stipend programs for educators who attend professional development trainings

  • Raise early care and education teacher compensation

Create continuing education opportunities for family, friend, and neighbor care

Jan
2023

  • Offer workshops and technical assistance opportunities that help early informal care providers

 
          Objective 4.1                    
Increase use of Children's Savings Accounts by 7% to help families start saving for college by 2023.

How We Will Accomplish This Objective

Promote the use of child savings accounts to start saving for college

Jan
2023

  • Work with labor and delivery hospitals, the Nurse Family Partnership Program, and First 5 to encourage new parents to open a college savings account for their newborn

Santa Cruz