San Mateo County is using dollars from Measure K, a local half-cent sales tax, to tackle the early childhood education staffing crisis. An investment of up to $4.5 million will go toward more than just salaries; it’ll fund tuition, textbooks, internships, and support for those training and those expanding their credentials in the coming three years. Addressing a significant shortage of qualified early-education professionals, the measure aims to fill teaching positions stretching from Daly City to Pescadero.
As reported by the San Mateo County government's official news, David Canepa, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors president, has called this move a "win for families" and a boon for prospective educators. Up to 80 percent of families with infants in San Mateo cannot find affordable child care, according to Supervisor Jackie Speier, who underlined the interconnection of the economy and childcare availability.
The need for nearly 3,000 early childhood educators noted in a 2022 Childcare Needs Assessment is made all the more urgent with the revelation that nearly 70 percent of women have been forced to delay or give up career advancements due to childcare issues. Amidst these strains, San Mateo County has requested proposals focused on expanding the number of local credentialed early childhood educators and aims to tackle the barriers they face.
The efforts also extend to at-home providers; the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously yesterday to grant funding to such providers. A $753,000 agreement with the Child Care Coordinating Council of San Mateo County will offer support and grants to help open new centers or expand existing ones, especially targeting high-need and underserved communities. This all comes under the banner of Measure K, which boosts the county coffers for local needs by adding a dime to a $20 taxable purchase.
Three contractors, Izzi Early Education, Upward Scholars, and the San Mateo County Office of Education, have been funded to support the mission, with plans to serve 275 current and aspiring educators. "This funding moves us closer to improving the lives of women, especially women of color, both as educators and parents who depend on child care to thrive," Supervisor Noelia Corzo told San Mateo County government's official news.
