After nearly two decades of dedicated service, Milestones Preschool in Inglewood has closed its doors, marking the end of an era for director Milena Bice.
Bice transformed her family home into a nurturing environment for children, integrating therapeutic approaches into her curriculum.
Her preschool became a beloved institution where she catered to children, particularly those with neurological differences, all while balancing the demands of parenthood.
Despite her passion for early childhood education, Bice faced significant financial challenges.
Amid tightening margins, she found herself in a continuous struggle to cover expenses while keeping tuition fees manageable for families.
As economic fluctuations, including the 2008 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic, threatened her business, Bice clung to the hope that her services were essential.
However, this month, she made the difficult decision to close, citing a lack of viable enrollment options and the financial strain of remaining open.
Notably, this year marked a troubling first for her preschool: no children were on her waitlist.
The expansion of universal transitional kindergarten (TK) in California, which offers no-cost public kindergarten for all 4-year-olds, has significantly altered the childcare landscape, rendering many private preschools uncompetitive.
“I can’t compete with free,” Bice lamented in an interview.
Current economic conditions have left many families struggling, further complicating Bice’s ability to sustain her business.
Her experience is not an isolated case; throughout the state, many childcare providers are facing similar tribulations as TK enrollment grows.
Statistics from the California Budget & Policy Center highlight an alarming trend: only 19% of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers eligible for state-subsidized care are currently enrolled.
The highest demand is for care of children aged 2 and younger, the most expensive age group to service.
A recent report by the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment emphasizes that many early education programs will need to pivot to accommodate younger children to stay afloat.
This transition is not straightforward; it requires significant shifts in operational practices and scheduling to meet the unique needs of infants and toddlers.
Caring for younger children necessitates different teaching expertise and smaller staff-to-child ratios, complicating transitions into lower age groups for many educators.
David Frank, who operates a preschool in Culver City, echoed similar sentiments, announcing his impending closure.
In his case, enrollment dwindled from 34 students to just 13, primarily due to the lack of demand for 4-year-olds in light of the TK program.
Although his facility was already accommodating 2-year-olds, he expressed reluctance to care for even younger children due to the required changes in space and staffing.
Frank noted, “I’m happy that children will have good, free education, but as a business owner, it’s just no longer a viable plan to stay open.”
The introduction of TK has undoubtedly met the educational needs of many families but has also revealed a critical lack of support for younger children.
California currently has an intricate patchwork of childcare options for infants and toddlers, often hampered by inconsistent funding and resource allocation.
While public preschool programs for low-income families have recently received increased funding, many private sectors feel the squeeze without matching state support.
The government, led by Governor Gavin Newsom, has touted the state’s investments in universal pre-K programs beyond TK, acknowledging the gaps that remain.
However, many advocates argue that further transformative investments are necessary to ensure that all aspects of early childhood education are addressed simultaneously.
The funding system for childcare providers is not only underfunded but also complex, leading to uncertainty and instability in the industry.
Patricia Lozano, executive director of Early Edge California, emphasizes that the closure of preschools like Milestones highlights systemic flaws needing urgent attention.
Despite the progress made with TK, she advocates for a holistic approach, arguing that California’s child care system needs comprehensive funding reform.
Lozano points to New Mexico’s model as a potential example for California, demonstrating how targeted investments in childcare can lead to more sustainable outcomes by expanding eligibility and improving reimbursement rates.
As for Milena Bice, her preschool’s closure leaves her uncertain about her future in the field.
Without a bachelor’s degree or teaching credential, she faces limitations on where her career might lead next.
Currently, she is holding onto her childcare license as she considers the possibilities, leaving the door open for a potential return to educating young children.
The challenges faced by Bice and many others like her illustrate a pivotal moment in California’s childcare industry, where the expansion of free educational opportunities must be balanced with support for all age groups to ensure a thriving system for families and educators alike.
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