EBR Leaders Spotlight Early Education Month and the Push to Close Baton Rouge’s Access Gap

EBR Early Childhood leaders Shenoa Thompson and Von Iyengar say Early Education Month highlights the urgent need for more affordable early learning seats in Baton Rouge. Each year, about 18,000 babies are born in the area, but only 30% have access to publicly funded early childhood programs. With infant care averaging $300 a week, many families can’t afford high-quality options. North Baton Rouge faces the largest shortage, while mid-city and south Baton Rouge centers stay full. Local partners recently raised $1.05 million, which the state will match to support early education in the 2026–27 school year. Families can enroll at ebrearlychildhood.com.