Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) released his plan to give free, full-day child care for every child beginning at infancy and free preschool education to all children starting at age three at a cost of $1.5 trillion over the next ten years.
The federally funded programs would be administered by states and tribes in partnership with local public school systems, and the money would also theoretically pay for workers who run the programs and infrastructure costs.
“Childcare must be guaranteed for every child regardless of their parents’ income, just like K-12 education,” Sanders said in a statement. “We know that the first four years of a child’s life are the most important years of human development, so it is unconscionable that in the wealthiest country in the world, we do not properly invest in early childhood education.”
“As president, we will guarantee free, universal childcare and pre-kindergarten to every child in America to help level the playing field, create new and good jobs, and enable parents [to] more easily balance the demands of work and home,” Sanders said.
Politico reported it is aimed at helping low-income people who Sanders is courting for votes:
How an Outdoor Sit Spot Can Benefit You and Your Children’s Health
Senators Issue an Ultimatum to NPR After ‘Ethical Failure’ at the Highest Levels
2 more sentenced in carjacking, kidnapping of FBI employee in South Dakota
Ex-lawmaker George Santos offering Cameo videos with his drag queen alter ego
RFK, Jr reveals path to presidency as Biden, Trump campaigns target race ‘spoiler’
Prosecutors Hit Roadblock, Forced to Hand Win to Arizona Rancher Accused of Killing Illegal Immigrant
Counter-Protesters Show Up at UCLA Encampment with Bananas – The Reason Why Is Hilarious
Johnson urges Biden to intervene in ICC’s reported plan for Netanyahu arrest warrant
Bill Maher Mocks Don Lemon to His Face for Trying to Play the Race Card: ‘C’mon’
Last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean War lies in honor at US Capitol
Climate Activist Who Defaced Famous Work of Art Sentenced to Prison
Trial begins for 7 Minnesotans charged with stealing more than $40 million from pandemic food program
New federal transgender rules place women’s workplace rights ‘under attack,’ EEOC commissioner charges
Britney Spears Is in ‘Serious Danger of Going Broke,’ Deletes Instagram Account After Calling Out Family
Watch: Arizona State ‘Frat Boys’ Clear the Quad, Trash Anti-Israel Encampment
The democratic socialist is trying to solve a costly dilemma faced by households with young children and working parents — and a persistent problem for poor families.
About 34 percent of children with college-educated parents attended full-day preschool programs in 2017, according to a recent study from the Child Trends advocacy group cited by Sanders’ campaign. By contrast, only 18 percent of children whose parents had less than a high school degree attended full-day preschool.
The plan, according to the campaign, would provide at least 10 hours of daily child care for infants and children who are up to 3 years old. The federal government would set minimum worker wages and mandate “low child-to-adult ratios and small group sizes” for services. When it comes to pre-K, Sanders would guarantee access to “full-day, full-week” programs for children starting at age 3. The federal government would pay for that too, but pre-K programs would be “locally administered.”
Politico reported that at least three other Democrats running for the 2020 presidential nomination are in favor of the same kind of entitlements — Joe Biden (D) says he will work with states to get universal preschool; Pete Buttigieg (D) wants to spend $700 billion over the next ten years for “universal, affordable full-day” child care; and Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s (D-MA) plan would tax millionaires to fund free child care for low-income children and make it “affordable” care for other families.
Story cited here.
Scroll down to leave a comment:
