For 27 years, Yolanda Thomas has run a childcare business called Best Beginnings in her home in Contra Costa County. She usually has children start with her as babies and stay until they’re in kindergarten. 



But in recent years, many parents are choosing to unenroll when their children are four and can attend public transitional kindergarten.



Across California, childcare and preschool providers say the state’s expansion of transitional kindergarten for all four-year-olds is drawing students out of existing programs while offering little support to help providers adapt. Many providers like Yolanda Thomas say they feel left behind.



Guests:




Yolanda Thomas, childcare provider, Best Beginnings



Betty Márquez Rosales, reporter, EdSource




Read more from EdSource: California’s childcare and preschool providers struggle amid transitional kindergarten expansion



Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.



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A podcast that gets to the heart of schools in California and beyond, bringing you the personal stories behind the headlines, from preschool to college. Join the team at EdSource each week to hear the voices that are too often drowned out in the broader conversation: parents, teachers, and the students themselves.