Austin proclaims Week of the Young Child, cites child care gaps

Councilwoman Vanessa Fuentes opened remarks at City Hall to announce a proclamation recognizing Week of the Young Child and spotlight early childhood education and care.

Fuentes listed local partners including the Early Childhood Council, United Way of Greater Austin, the Success By 6 Coalition and Austin PBS, and said the city’s Generation ATX movement supports making Austin "the best place in America to be a kid." The proclamation cited a city figure of roughly 56,375 children under age 6 in Austin and said roughly 30% of those children live in families with low income and limited access to high‑quality early care.

Dr. Cindy Karas, representing the Austin chapter of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children, thanked city staff and leaders and emphasized that high‑quality early childhood education supports brain development, school readiness and long‑term economic and social outcomes; she read part of the proclamation in Spanish.

The recognition was ceremonial; speakers urged continued investment in scholarships for educators, childcare grants, zoning reform and other local policy steps to expand early care access.