**CLICK HERE FOR A 2 MINUTE VIDEO SUMMARY. PLEASE COME BACK TO SIGN THE PETITION! WE ARE ONLY ASKING FOR SUPPORT BY SIGNING THE PETITION, YOU ARE NOT SIGNING UP FOR ANYTHING ELSE. :-)**

If you believe in the value of private center-based preschools in the development of our children, THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW.

The Master Plan for ECE in CA did not include a partnership with private center-based preschool providers, does not give parents the option to enroll their children in the best environments, and falls short of delivering a consistent experience across our state. 

Many school districts are offering less than 4 hours of care per day for only 9 months out of the year and are co-mingling children in an after-school setting that parents have to pay for.  How does this help hard-working parents? How does this help our children develop holistically?

Proven developmentally appropriate philosophies rooted in creativity and play have been replaced by a standardized common core curriculum philosophy and, in many cases, is being delivered by staff that doesn't have experience working with our youngest children.  Potty training is at the discretion of the District, outdoor play time is limited, and rest periods are not required. 

Why not partner with private center based preschools to fill up open spaces in existing centers?

Many states across our country have much better plans already in place - California is an outlier and quite possibly unique in it's approach to deploying UTK.

All of us want to enable preschool for more children, but the current plan in CA will:

• take away ECE teachers from private preschools during a time when staffing has already proven to be a challenge,  
• continue to take away 4 and 5 year olds in the near term and 3 year olds in a few years resulting in eradicating private center-based preschools, and 
• force private center-based preschool providers to compete against the State funded free pre-school.

We deserve a more comprehensive plan that does not shut out nor shut down center based preschools.

Many hard-working Americans have dedicated their lives, time, and money to serving the youngest of children in our communities in an effort to prepare them for elementary school and beyond.

Our voices are not being heard.  

If you agree, please sign this petition to join us and have our collective voices heard by our elected officials. 

Please help us spread the word by forwarding this message to your network and by asking them to sign!

We hope to have an opportunity to work together towards a comprehensive plan that includes all of us!

We are the "UTK Council" and we are made up of owners, directors, and teachers serving communities through private center based preschools across California. You can reach us at raisingourvoices@buidingkidz.com.

**WE ARE ONLY ASKING FOR SUPPORT BY SIGNING THE PETITION, YOU ARE NOT SIGNING UP FOR ANYTHING ELSE. :-)**