Sarah Bachez — Sarah Bachez is introduced as a representative from Children Now and then introduces herself as the organization’s Director of Education Policy and Advocacy, briefly describing Children Now’s mission.
Philip Fisher — Philip Fisher is introduced as a professor at Stanford Graduate School of Education for the second panel, and then confirms that he is present on Zoom.
Children Now — The organization argued for rebalancing investments and strengthening California's UPK vision through a mixed delivery approach.
Marcy — Identified as Raquel's longtime child care provider, still visited by Raquel's children.
Erica Ewa Pormanares — Erica Ewa Pormanares introduces herself and provides her background, identifying as a parent, a former elementary school teacher, an associate professor at San Jose State University, and a resident of Oakland, California.
Luz Rivas — The witness addresses the Chair and members at the start of her testimony.
Luz Rivas — Referenced collectively as part of 'the legislature' being thanked for fighting for child care money.
Professor Philip Fisher — Professor Philip Fisher presents survey-based findings on transitional kindergarten (TK) awareness and equity in California. He says many families remain unaware or unclear that TK is an option, and awareness has declined since 2023. Awareness is lowest among lower-income families, while higher-income families are more likely to know about and enroll in TK. He notes that many families say they would use TK if they knew more about it, but access depends on how information is shared: lower-income families often learn through friends and family, while middle- and upper-income families hear through news and social media. Fisher argues that simply making information available is not enough and that TK’s structure may not fit many working families, especially lower-income households. He cites data showing enrollment growth concentrated in affluent, predominantly white neighborhoods, and recommends more equitable outreach through local community networks, broader dissemination of eligibility and enrollment information, and mixed delivery models. He concludes that universal TK was an important win but remains insufficient, and that continued improvement should be guided by data and the voices of parents and the early care and education workforce.
Panel / Professor Philip Fisher — The panel is thanked and questions are opened, but none are asked before moving to public comment and inviting CDE to speak.
Stephen Proffler — Stephen Proffler introduces himself as the director of the Early Education Division at the California Department of Education and states that he is speaking on behalf of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, beginning his remarks on the issue.
Jerry McNerney — Referenced as the State Superintendent of Public Instruction; transcript says 'Tony Herman,' which appears to be a transcription error.
Virginia Early — Introduced as accompanying the speaker, though the transcription is incomplete and awkward.
Elle Grant — Elle Grant of the California Alliance of Child and Family Services introduced herself and then began her testimony by highlighting the statewide insurance crisis.
Paloma Corona — Paloma Corona, a family child care provider from the Los Angeles area, introduced herself and explained that she has cared for children for over 16 years, opening her in-home program about six years ago. She described her long-term experience operating a family child care business and the work involved in caring for children.
Yvonne Bejard — Yvonne Bejard introduced herself as a child care educator from Sacramento, a CCPU member, and an immigrant worker, then continued her testimony by describing the financial insecurity of child care work and her concern about being able to survive month to month.
Charlotte Neal — Introduced herself as a 24-hour family child care provider from Sacramento County and a CCPU member.
Theodore of Hiron — Introduced himself as a child care provider serving families in Madera.
Maria Angelica Vargas — Maria Angelica Vargas introduces herself as a child care provider from Madera County with 14 years of experience caring for children, and adds that she is a proud member of CCPU.
Angelica Barragan — Angelica Barragan introduces herself as a child care provider in Madera County and a CCPU member with six years of experience. She explains that fair pay means being compensated for all hours worked, including long weeks over 40 hours, and says her salary does not increase even when she works more. She emphasizes the extra costs and personal sacrifice involved, including time away from her own family, and notes that her work continues even when the children are not in her care. She closes by expressing her commitment to supporting families while highlighting the low earnings and ongoing burden of the job.
Gloria Garcia — Introduces herself as a daycare provider in San Joaquin County and CCPU member with 16 years of experience.
Jacqueline Brado — Introduces herself as a large family child care provider from Kern County and CCPU member with more than 11 years of experience.
Cecilia Aguiar-Curry — Was referenced by name in the discussion of child care providers' costs and travel expenses.
Dr. Jennifer Coisleon — Introduced as a panelist for testimony on the economic impact of child care on the Central Valley workforce.
Aiden — Introduced as a panelist.
Jamie — Introduced as a panelist.
Central Valley provider — Introduced as a panelist representing a provider perspective.
Luis from Central Valley parent speaker — Introduced as a panelist representing a parent speaker perspective.
Jennifer — Begins testimony on behalf of the UC Merced Community and Labor Center.
Ide Jaime — Introduces themselves as a child care provider and educator with 12 years of experience.
Ide Haime — Describes providing child care in Kern County and serving families in Arvin connected to agricultural work.
Unnamed child care provider — The unnamed child care provider described the difficult realities of operating child care: having to open very early or stay open late to match parents’ work schedules, working long hours without pay for all hours worked, and bearing the costs of insurance, assistants, food, and educational materials. The witness emphasized that providers often sacrifice basic needs like meals and cannot adequately support their own families or the children they serve because expenses are so high, contrasting their situation with schools that receive more support and supplies.
Unnamed committee member or chair — Responded empathetically to the provider, saying the committee is there to help and will continue working hard.
Luis — Luis introduced himself as a Central Valley resident and working parent, explaining that he works in packing houses and the fields under difficult conditions, with irregular hours, long commutes, and exposure to harsh weather. He said these realities make it hard to balance work and family life, especially because child care is difficult to find for night-shift and other nontraditional schedules. He emphasized that Central Valley families need more accessible child care options so parents can keep working and care for their children.
Unnamed witness (parent from the Central Valley) — Described the difficulty of finding child care for their son and the desperation caused by limited options.
Mrs. Aden — The witness praises Mrs. Aden as a highly valued and trustworthy child care provider who was eventually found by the family. She is described as being available at any hour, including very early mornings and late nights, and as providing flexible care when the parents are working long hours. Beyond basic supervision, she feeds the child, supports him while the parents work, helps with schoolwork, and provides education as well as care. The witness also notes that Mrs. Aden shows concern for the child’s family, can be called and trusted to care for the child for longer periods when needed, and is deeply appreciated for her genuine interest in the child’s well-being.
child care providers — Child care providers are praised for sustaining the community through their sacrifice and labor, and the speaker urges the committee to support them as they continue fighting alongside families to raise children.
Tina — Likely the person being called to come up for public comment.
Nina Boothy — Executive Director of Every Child California; testified about unspent child care funds and proposed reversion/endowment accounts.
Juliet Terry — Juliet Terry testified on behalf of the Child Care Resource Center, introducing herself and then continuing with support for TK as a free, viable option for some families while emphasizing that it is not a universal solution and urging movement toward a single-rate, full cost-of-care approach.
Mackenzie Richardson — Speaks on behalf of Thriving Families California Foundation, thanks the committee, and emphasizes the importance of hearing from parents.
Louise — Louise is thanked for her testimony about the challenges of finding child care during nontraditional hours and for sharing her personal story about parents’ child care struggles. She is then referenced as an example of the broader need for child care support for families.
Juliet — The speaker references Juliet's earlier remarks about parents and child care.
Lily Stewart — Identifies herself as being with the California Child Care Resource and Referral Network and supports an integrated TK and child care system.
Jeanette Carpenter — Speaks on behalf of Child Action, describing its service numbers and the need for culturally and linguistically appropriate child care.
Gregg Hart — The majority leader is noted as having stepped out briefly.
Idae — Thanked for coming and advocating for other providers.
Kidango partnership model — The partnership is described as including not only child care but also parent and community supports.
Lisa Calderon — The speaker addresses an Assembly Member directly while introducing another example.
Lisa Calderon — The speaker addresses an Assembly Member and agrees that requiring family child care providers to make the changes is not ideal.
Lisa Calderon — The speaker refers to the Vice Chair and responds to her point about not being in a rush to solve the issue.