The votes are counted, and PRE4CLE congratulates every candidate elected to serve Ohio and our nation! We also thank the voters, volunteers, and poll workers who made this election possible.

This election brings new leadership to the Governor’s office and a new majority in Congress. Transitions create real opportunity. In the weeks ahead, Governor-elect Acton will build a team and a first state budget, and new congressional leaders will set priorities for federal investment in children and families. PRE4CLE stands ready to serve as a resource to the incoming administration, the Ohio General Assembly, and every member of Ohio’s congressional delegation.

Closer to home, we thank Cuyahoga County voters for passing the Health and Human Services levy. The levy sustains the county’s award-winning Universal Pre-K program and other vital early childhood services, from home visiting to family supports, led by the Cuyahoga County Office of Early Childhood/Invest in Children. That local commitment is a cornerstone of Cleveland’s progress, and PRE4CLE will continue working with county leaders to protect and build on it.

Our priorities have not changed, because they rest on results. More than half of Ohio’s children still enter kindergarten without the foundational skills they need to succeed, and that gap begins long before a child walks through the schoolhouse door. Cleveland shows what sustained investment can do. When PRE4CLE began in 2014, 24% of Cleveland’s 3- and 4-year-olds were enrolled in high-quality preschool and 15% entered kindergarten ready to succeed (our work). Today, nearly half of Cleveland’s preschool-aged children attend high-quality programs, and PRE4CLE preschoolers show kindergarten readiness rates significantly higher than peers without access (Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot). That progress was built through strong federal, state, and local partnerships, and the next budget is an important opportunity to continue that momentum. 

Our policy priorities for the FY 2028-2029 state budget and beyond

1. Expand access to affordable early care and education programs. Raise income eligibility for Publicly Funded Child Care to at least 200% of the federal poverty level, expand resources and full-day seats in the Ohio Preschool Program, and grow employer investment through the Ohio Early Care and Education Business Partnership, a shared priority with our partners at Early Matters NEO.
2. Improve Kindergarten readiness. Maintain and strengthen Ohio’s investment in Step Up To Quality, expand services that support children’s developmental well-being, and invest in safe, healthy early learning facilities.
3. Strengthen and support the early childhood workforce. Increase compensation and benefits for early childhood educators, expand access to affordable child care for their own families, and create clear career pathways that recruit, develop, and retain talented educators. 

Additionally, PRE4CLE is working to maintain and strengthen local investments in high-quality preschool, including investment in Cuyahoga County’s UPK program, preserving and expanding high-quality preschool across the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and connecting providers with capital and development resources through efforts like Cleveland Early Learning Spaces.

At the federal level, we will work with Ohio’s delegation to protect Head Start and the federal child care investments that Cleveland families rely on.

Why it matters now

High-quality early learning builds Ohio’s workforce of tomorrow. Children who start school ready to learn are more likely to read proficiently, succeed academically, graduate, and thrive as adults. Ohio’s investments in quality early learning are paying off: statewide kindergarten readiness rose from 36.6% in fall 2024 to 44.8% in fall 2025 (Ohio Department of Children and Youth). Quality early childhood is one of the smartest investments Ohio can make, and the next budget is the time to continue to strengthen outcomes for young children.

Child care is also a workforce issue today. Early Matters NEO’s Driving Growth report found that 78% of Cuyahoga County parents identify child care access as a barrier to work. Parents lose an estimated $411 million a year, employers $121 million, and our community $114 million in tax revenue.

How you can help

• Become a PRE4CLE advocate and sign up for our Advocate Newsletter for budget updates and action alerts.
• Bring your business voice to the table by partnering with Early Matters NEO.
• Find your elected officials and introduce yourself as a constituent who cares about early learning.

A new administration and a new Congress will shape decisions that reach every Cleveland preschool classroom. We look forward to working with all of Ohio’s leaders so that every child enters kindergarten ready to succeed.

Katie Kelly

Executive Director, PRE4CLE