First Five Years Fund’s Post

Child Care remains in crisis with high costs and low availability. But, we should praise incremental awareness and change: "more and more people of all political persuasions see the provision of affordable, quality child care and the general well-being of children as issues affecting everyone and everything in our society." #SolveChildCare #SupportFamilies #Hively #BeHively #WeAreHively https://lnkd.in/emyiHh_K

In North Carolina, state level data shows a loss of nearly 4 percent of child care programs since the start of the pandemic - a net loss of 203 licensed child care programs statewide. If each program served just 5 kids, that's 1,000 children and their families impacted by those closures. Congress and state governments can and must work together to invest in our children and families to #fundchildcare and #solvechildcare https://lnkd.in/e9BJiasC

#NewResource: Understanding the State and Local Role in Home-Based Child Care via National Association of Counties These resources are designed to help state and local policymakers better understand the unique strengths of home-based child care and the challenges facing these providers. The briefs also provide examples of how states, counties and cities are thinking creatively about ways to support and invest in home-based providers and the families they serve. Access resources: https://lnkd.in/eJMNiuMP

A robust childcare system is essential for a thriving economy. The country is currently grappling with a childcare crisis, exacerbated by early childhood educators seeking higher wages and better benefits. Great article by Ariel Ford.

Rising fees at child care centers are contributing to the growing costs of child care. Are you struggling with child care? Here is an interesting article that I contributed to regarding rising costs.

In this summary of the RAPID special report, What Caregivers Want Policymakers to Know, First Five Years Fund writes that parents and child care providers want elected officials to know that families are struggling, and the time to act is now. Improving the accessibility and affordability of high-quality child care can be achieved through increased government investment, and sustained policies aimed at improving families’ health and well-being would advance child development. It is critical that elected officials enact change to support families, early learners, and child care providers. https://lnkd.in/g4i8MK6e

Child care providers, which include early childhood teachers and directors in center- and home-based settings, are very worried about being able to meet parents’ child care needs. The frequency with which parents have reported feeling frustrated by their leaders’ inaction on issues relating to children and families has also risen over the years, Can elected leaders and other policymakers meaningfully — and sustainably — improve conditions for children and families? Read more: https://lnkd.in/eY_e2pqM #EducationPolicy #ChildCareProvider #Parents

Child care providers, which include early childhood teachers and directors in center- and home-based settings, are very worried about being able to meet parents’ child care needs. The frequency with which parents have reported feeling frustrated by their leaders’ inaction on issues relating to children and families has also risen over the years, Can elected leaders and other policymakers meaningfully — and sustainably — improve conditions for children and families? Read more: https://lnkd.in/eY_e2pqM #EducationPolicy #ChildCareProvider #Parents

“We know inadequate child care is an economic issue, costing states, families and businesses billions of dollars every year. We know it’s a gender issue that contributes to a widening pay gap. We know it’s a policy issue, made worse by the absences of a federal pre-K program and a federal paid-leave policy. But here is another critical consideration worth pushing for: Our country’s inadequate child care system is also a health care issue.” Yet another reason to add to the never-ending list of the ways in which access to child care impacts us all.

Child care providers, which include early childhood teachers and directors in center- and home-based settings, are very worried about being able to meet parents’ child care needs. The frequency with which parents have reported feeling frustrated by their leaders’ inaction on issues relating to children and families has also risen over the years, Can elected leaders and other policymakers meaningfully — and sustainably — improve conditions for children and families? Read more: https://lnkd.in/eY_e2pqM #EducationPolicy #ChildCareProvider #Parents