SR456: SR456 Week of the Young Child; recognize April 5-11

This is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Georgia Senate rather than a law that changes anyone's rights or duties. It recognizes April 5-11 as the Week of the Young Child, pointing to research on early brain development and the value of high-quality early childhood education and care. The resolution's preamble describes challenges facing the early childhood education field, including low pay for educators and insufficient funding from tuition and subsidies. The Senate resolves to recognize the work of early childhood educators during this week and directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to Week of the Young Child community members and other interested parties.

• Formally designates April 5-11 as the Week of the Young Child in Georgia through a Senate resolution.
• Recognizes the work of early childhood educators as complex, valuable, and demanding, without creating new funding or legal requirements.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to Week of the Young Child community members and other parties.
• Sets out the Senate's views on the importance of early childhood development and the challenges facing childcare funding, without enacting any binding policy changes.

Early childhood educators, childcare providers, families with young children, and the Secretary of the Senate, who is tasked with distributing copies of the resolution to community members and other interested parties.

Because this is a resolution rather than a bill amending Georgia law, it does not change funding, regulations, or requirements for childcare providers or families. Its practical effect is symbolic recognition of early childhood educators and the issues they face, which could be cited in future policy debates.

• The preamble (whereas clauses) lays out reasoning about brain development, the value of high-quality early care, and funding challenges facing early childhood educators.
• The resolving clause formally recognizes April 5-11 as the Week of the Young Child and honors the work of early childhood educators.
• A further resolution directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available for distribution to Week of the Young Child community members and other parties.

1. 2025-03-27Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-03-25Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)Primary sponsor

• early childhood education
• childcare
• Georgia Senate resolutions
• education workforce