To the editor: Increasing access to early childhood education is an important step toward addressing the opportunity gap, as there is evidence linking a child’s preschool experience to long-term success (“California is leading national preschool expansion, but quality lags, report says,” April 22). However, California has a history of enacting changes without fully investing in the systems needed for service delivery.
Access to preschool is evidently unequal. The article highlights that disparities are influenced by geographic location and income, rather than need. It is no surprise that many go without preschool enrollment, often supplementing educational and socialization activities on their own.
Unfortunately, this is not feasible for many working families. In my work supporting children and families as a child welfare provider, I have seen how this gap is heightened for children with behavioral or developmental needs. These children strive with supportive structured classrooms, so when schools are under-resourced, families are left to seek specialty care though strained systems such as regional centers or day programs.
The next step must ensure that program quality is at the forefront, so that all children can benefit from meaningful educational opportunities.
Cindy Hernandez-Cuamba, San José
