Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Early Childhood

Examining the push to get kids starting school strong.

Meet Reggio Emilia

Colorado
December 13, 2018

Power to the kids: A preschool approach imported from Italy comes to public schools in Denver

The Reggio Emilia approach to early learning is often confined to pricey private programs, but soon up to four public preschools in Denver will adopt the approach.

Preschool expansion

Colorado
December 6, 2018

Could a new universal preschool program in a Colorado resort community help propel a statewide effort?

Colorado's Summit County will soon offer preschool assistance to all 4-year-olds, using proceeds from a new property tax approved by voters in November.

early childhood

Tennessee
December 4, 2018

New early learning initiative brings Sesame Street lessons into Memphis classrooms

Dozens of grown-ups crowded into a meeting room Tuesday at an early childhood center in Memphis to celebrate a new partner in educating the city’s…

the youngest learners

Indiana
November 29, 2018

Indiana seeks $10 million federal grant to find gaps in early childhood education

Indiana's plan for the federal Preschool Development Grant would cost about $14 million, with about $4 million coming from matching state dollars.
National
November 29, 2018

Welcome to The Starting Line, Chalkbeat’s early childhood newsletter

Hello! I’m Ann Schimke, a Chalkbeat reporter based in Colorado, and I have some exciting news to share: Earlier this month, we launched The Starting…

Early Childhood

New York
November 27, 2018

With lead exposure rampant in NYC public housing, a new focus on lead’s impact on education

The dangers posed by lead poisoning, which include behavioral problems and impaired brain development, are grave and long-lasting. But studies show these effects can be mitigated with swift, early treatment.

farewell

Colorado
November 20, 2018

A fixture in Colorado’s early childhood scene prepares to step back – but not all the way

The longtime leader Clayton Early Learning in Denver reflects on the toughest decision she ever made, lagging early childhood investments, and Colorado's new governor.

Distributing Dollars

Indiana
November 19, 2018

Indiana faces a tight budget in 2019, lawmakers say. Will expanding pre-K be in the cards?

Extra resources for preschool and teacher raises are among the areas competing for next year's state budget funds.

Head Start restart

Detroit
November 15, 2018

Children left in limbo as Detroit Head Start providers stand to lose federal grants

Four major providers of Head Start programs in Detroit must re-apply for funding after losing their federal grants this year, throwing the future of dozens of classrooms in doubt for the fall.

sunset

Colorado
November 15, 2018

Victim of its own success: Qualistar, pioneer in rating Colorado child care, to close

Qualistar Colorado, a well-known nonprofit that created the first rating system preschools and child care centers in the state, will close at the end of 2018.

We'll come to you

Colorado
November 12, 2018

They started as an experiment in rural areas. Now, mobile preschools are rolling into metro Denver.

Advocates say mobile preschools represent a valuable school readiness initiative for young children cut off from traditional early education experiences.

the youngest learners

Indiana
October 31, 2018

Most of Indiana is a licensed child care ‘desert’ for infants and toddlers, new report says

These “child care deserts" can limit families’ access to early childhood programs during a critical time in children's development.

the starting line

National
October 29, 2018

Chalkbeat’s launching a newsletter all about early childhood. Sign up here.

As the Chalkbeat team has grown, so has early childhood coverage. Now, we’re making a bigger investment in the topic with a monthly newsletter called The Starting Line.

Making ends meet

Chicago
October 25, 2018

State childcare program loses providers and children as deadline looms

Despite a looming deadline that could deprive thousands of young children of day care, Illinois has made scant progress on ensuring providers…

the youngest learners

Indiana
October 24, 2018

Indiana lawmakers went to preschool. Here’s what they learned

Early childhood advocates want lawmakers to see how high-quality preschool can help children living in poverty, in the hopes of expanding access to pre-K next year.