ABC27 WHTM Advocates want to preserve early childhood education funding

Advocates want to preserve early childhood education funding

Early childhood education is protected in Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed state budget, and advocates want to ensure that it stays that way.

Hundreds rallied inside the Capitol on Tuesday afternoon. Lt. Governor Jim Cawley told them that even with a state budget deficit of $4 billion, Corbett protected early childhood education funding in his budget proposal. Cawley said that includes nearly $38 million for Head Start and more than $83 million for Pre-K Counts.

Those in attendance applauded those figures, but also noted that thousands of Pennsylvania children remain on waiting lists for early childhood education. In addition, they believe more needs to be done to make such care affordable.

"We hope that everyone will agree that social-emotional development is paramount," said Kellie Lyons of the Neighborhood Interfaith Movement in Philadelphia. "And that without early childhood, it's just impossible to build strong families and strong children."

"You know, I think the statistics are out there. If we put the money in now, you will not be putting the money in later into remedial programs, into prisons," said Mary Houlihan of KinderCare Learning Centers. "These children have a purpose."