A Pennsylvania nonprofit is praising Gov. Josh Shapiro’s new budget proposal, which includes a funding increase for early childhood education.
The budget boosts support for child care, pre-K, early intervention, and other programs – and addresses staffing shortages.
Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children President and CEO Kari King said low wages fuel child care worker shortages, with pay of just over $15 an hour.
She said she hopes the governor’s proposed $55 million funding package for child care workers will strengthen programs statewide.
“It’s actually a new appropriation that’s being referred to as the ‘child care workforce recruitment and retention fund,'” said King. “The estimate is that about that $55 million would provide just about $1,000 to child care workers that would qualify.”