LANCASTER, Pa. (WHTM) — Early childhood education has struggled to recover to pre-pandemic levels, according to Lili Dippner, Vice President of Education and Child Development at Lancaster County’s Community Action Partnership.
Dippner emphasizes that early childhood education begins well before preschool, starting from birth and even before birth. Despite this, quality early education remains scarce in Lancaster County.
“The major issue is the lack of resources,” Dippner noted. “Although we have good community partners and resources, it’s still not enough.”
One significant problem is the high turnover rate among early childhood educators. Dippner attributes this to low pay and high emotional demands of the job. “Teachers, even licensed ones, often leave every few years due to burnout,” she said. “It’s a demanding role with a lot of emotional investment.”
Currently, 81% of Lancaster County’s infants and toddlers, and 82% of Pre-K children, do not receive the early education they need due to insufficient centers and staff.
Senate Alexander, Executive Director of the Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning, points out that access to quality early education often depends on income. “Higher-income families generally have better access to quality programs,” Alexander explained. “Lower-income families often struggle to afford high-quality care and may have to settle for less expensive, lower-quality options.”
In response, Lancaster County will welcome three new Catherine Hershey Schools starting in 2026. Dippner believes that more collaboration is needed to address these challenges. “We need to bring together K-12 partners, the business community, and early learning providers to discuss what is needed and plan next steps,” she said. “Collaborative efforts are crucial for creating effective solutions and reaching more children.”