In 2005, the League of Women Voters Fresno engaged the community in conversations about the benefits of preschool. Since then, a large, diverse, and devoted group of county citizens continues to work to improve quality and increase access to effective school readiness programs for 4 year-olds in Fresno County. This group has contributed to many of the following accomplishments:

2010

• The Fresno County Preschool Website (www.fresnopreschool.org) was launched.
• Coordinated the Preschool Site Visit with Sherriff Margaret Mims hosted at Herndon-Barstow Preschool to promote Fight Crime: Invest in Kids California.
• Hosted the Second Annual Early Care and Education Parent/Provider Conference in April 2010.
• Co-hosted the San Joaquin Valley Businsess Leader Summit on Early Care & Education in April 2010.
• Hosted a convening of the Preschool Planners with Karen Hill Scott May 2010.
• Hosted the Legislative Leaders and Elected Officials of Fresno County Informational Breakfast March 2010.
• Hosted Preschool California’s Town Hall Meeting on Early Care and Education, focus on Quality Rating Scale.
• Presented at the English Language Learners Conference for Region 7 September 2010.
• Participated in the design and launch of the 2010 Central California Children’s Agenda.
• Launched the Fresno County Professional Learning Community on Transitional Kindergarten in December 2010.

2009

• First Annual Parent Education Conference held May 2, 2009, which engaged more than 30 agencies in the hosting of a conference featuring 25 speakers and was attended by almost 200 parents.
• Growth in FCOE Migrant School Readiness Summer Programs from 9 to 17 sites.
• Joined more than 300 early learning supporters at the annual Early Learning Advocacy Day visit to the state capitol.
• Co-hosted The Engaging New Partners to Increase Access and Quality in Early Learning in the Central Valley event.
• Hosted the Town Hall Meeting on Quality Rating Improvement System.
• Wrote a successful nomination of the Fresno City College Child Development Center for a 2009 California School Boards Association Golden Bell Award.

2008

• Early learning advocates worked with state leaders on three key early learning bills passed by the California State legislature and signed by Governor Schwarzenegger.
• SB 1629 (Steinberg) Early Learning Quality Improvement Act
• AB 2759 (Jones) California State Preschool Program Act
• SB 1298 (Simitian and Steinberg) Education Data and Information Act
• The Fresno County Office of Education established an Early Care and Education Division.
• Voluntary Preschool Master Plan was written, printed, and implementation activities began.

2007

• The Economic Impact Report of the Early Care and Education Industry in Fresno County was published.
• The Fresno County Office of Education led the gathering of a cross-section of the community in the design of a comprehensive voluntary preschool plan for four year-olds in Fresno County.