Newsom’s Free Preschool Expansion Leaves Private Daycares Struggling
The expansion of California’s free transitional kindergarten program, a signature achievement of Governor Gavin Newsom, has led to significant increases in public preschool access. While parents report substantial savings and improved early childhood education for their 4-year-olds, the program’s growth has inadvertently destabilized the private child care sector, leading to closures and reduced availability of care for younger children. This unintended consequence raises questions about the sustainability of the private sector and the long-term availability of child care options for all families.
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood