PRINTER'S NO. 493
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
57
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY BROWNE, J. WARD, MARTIN, ARGALL, PITTMAN, VOGEL,
HUGHES, SCHWANK, COSTA, FONTANA, BARTOLOTTA, MENSCH, KEARNEY,
SCAVELLO, COLLETT, SANTARSIERO, STEFANO, YUDICHAK AND
COMITTA, MARCH 23, 2021
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, MARCH 23, 2021
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing April 10 through 16, 2021, as "Week of the Young
Child" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, In 2021, we recognize the 50th anniversary of the
"Week of the Young Child"; and
WHEREAS, The "Week of the Young Child" is an annual
celebration sponsored by the National Association for the
Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world's largest early
childhood education association, with nearly 60,000 members and
a network of 51 local, state and regional affiliates; and
WHEREAS, NAEYC first established the "Week of the Young
Child" in 1971, recognizing that the early childhood years, from
birth through eight years of age, lay the foundation for
children's success in school and later life; and
WHEREAS, The "Week of the Young Child" is a time to recognize
that children's opportunities are our responsibilities and to
recommit ourselves to ensuring that every child experiences the
type of early environment, at home, at child care, at school and
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in the community, that will promote early learning; and
WHEREAS, The first years of a child's life are the period of
the most rapid brain development and lay the foundation for all
future learning; and
WHEREAS, At no other time in a human's life will the brain
develop at this remarkable speed or with such intricacy; and
WHEREAS, High-quality early childhood programs provide
important benefits to children, families and our national and
state economies; and
WHEREAS, Participation in high-quality early childhood
education saves taxpayer dollars, makes working families more
economically secure and prepares children to succeed in school,
earn higher wages and live healthier lives; and
WHEREAS, Parents will always be the most important influence
on their children, and 71% of children under six years of age in
Pennsylvania have all available parents in the workforce; and
WHEREAS, Evidence-based programs that strengthen our families
and ensure access to high-quality early care and education are
needed to maximize children's potential in the first five years;
and
WHEREAS, Despite the proven benefits of high-quality early
care and education, more eligible Pennsylvania children and
families need access to these services; and
WHEREAS, Only 2% of all children under six years of age and
only 5% of low-income children under six years of age are
receiving publicly funded, evidence-based home-visiting
services; and
WHEREAS, Only 41% of subsidized children under five years of
age and only 39% of subsidized infants and toddlers attend a
high-quality child care program, and only 42% of child care
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capacity in this Commonwealth meets high-quality standards; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 81% of eligible children under five
years of age and 85% of eligible infants or toddlers are not
enrolled in the Child Care Works subsidized child care program;
and
WHEREAS, Approximately 64% of eligible children who are three
and four years of age do not have access to high-quality
prekindergarten; and
WHEREAS, High-quality early childhood education depends on
high-quality early childhood educators who ensure that children,
supported by families, have the early experiences that they need
for a strong foundation; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize April 10 through 16,
2021, as "Week of the Young Child" in Pennsylvania.
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