SB 1123 Summary

• Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop standards for high-quality early learning and educational support programs, including parent education and support, continuity of care, and primary caregiver assignment for infants and toddlers.

• Establishes "California Strong Start" services for infants and toddlers from birth to age 3, including parent engagement, full-day and part-day care, voluntary home visitation, nutrition services, and health referrals, with supplemental grants of $1,000 per child for parent training and $2,500-$6,000 per child for home visitation services.

• Expands the definition of "income eligible" families to include those eligible for CalFresh or Medi-Cal, and ensures children remain eligible for services for the remainder of the program year after initial enrollment.

• Maintains current staffing ratios for early learning programs until July 1, 2019, then requires new ratios including 1:4 adult-to-child ratio for infants and 1:3 adult-to-child ratio for toddlers; requires at least one credentialed child development teacher per classroom by July 1, 2019, if funding is appropriated.

• Deletes previous requirements that 50% of preschool enrollment be 4-year-olds and removes provisions regarding priority enrollment for 4-year-olds not in transitional kindergarten programs.