As child care costs soar, public preschool spots are limited
December 26, 2017 at 10:10 a.m.
| Updated December 27, 2017 at 7:54 p.m.
by
Associated Press
** HOLD FOR SALLY HO STORY ** In this photo taken Feb. 12, 2016, assistant teacher D'onna Hartman, reads to Frederick Frenious, left, and Gus Saunders at the Creative Kids Learning Center, a school that focuses on pre-kindergarten for 4- and 5-year-olds, in Seattle. Hartman used the "boo boo bag" corner to settle the two down after a small altercation left one in tears. In perhaps an unexpected twist, historically conservative strongholds like Oklahoma and West Virginia are leading efforts to bring preschool to all and Alabama and Georgia are also red states that have notable programs. But some liberal leaning-cities like Seattle and New York also are running public pre-K programs. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
SEATTLE (AP) - In perhaps an unexpected twist, historically conservative strongholds like Oklahoma and West Virginia are leading efforts to bring preschool to all.
Other red states that have notable programs include Alabama and Georgia. But some liberal-leaning cities like Seattle and New York also are running public pre-K programs.
Advocates say more universal programs are needed to address what they call an alarming increase in child care costs.
Studies have shown that children who attend a high-quality preschool are more adjusted for the rest of their academic lives and have better outcomes as adults, from higher incomes to healthier lifestyles.
Around the country, some budding programs say there are not enough seats to meet demand and not enough money to make it happen.
