December 2, 2020
Child care remains a bipartisan priority as we look forward to a new Congress and administration. Providers continue to face challenges and remain concerned about their ability to stay in business if Congress fails to provide relief. That would leave millions of parents with nowhere to turn if they close, which would have a serious long-term impact on the economy.
Some states are using the few remaining federal funds to support the industry. While others are creating new plans for early learning and care altogether.
| FFYF IN THE NEWS Joe Biden has a $335 billion child-care plan — and Republican lawmakers could be on board with parts of it MarketWatch | 12/1/20 “[V]oters on both sides of the aisle see quality child care as a rare, unifying policy issue,” according to a First Five Years Fund poll conducted right after the 2018 midterm elections. It found that a majority of Democrat, Republican and independent voters supported federal funding increases for quality early education. |
| IN THE STATES CALIFORNIA California unveiled a blueprint for the future of early education. Critics say it’s built on shaky ground Los Angeles Times | 12/1/20 After months of delays and pandemic upheaval, California officials on Tuesday released the long-awaited Master Plan for Early Learning and Care, a 113-page blueprint to remodel the state’s Byzantine child-care system and dramatically expand public preschool. CALIFORNIA Inside California’s new master plan to reshape early education and child care EdSource | 12/1/20 California’s long-awaited roadmap to reshape early childhood care and education in the state took a critical first step on Tuesday with the release of a first-ever 10-year master plan, but some advocates say more specifics are needed to ensure progress. COLORADO “If we close, you can’t go to work”: Colorado child care centers poised for a big infusion of state money Colorado Sun | 12/2/20 Child care centers are among the few Colorado businesses that have been allowed to stay open during the pandemic, yet they are a top priority as the state legislature meets this week to hand out coronavirus relief money. GEORGIA $55 million in child care funding available to licensed providers Fox 5 Atlanta | 12/2/20 The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning administers these funds. The program gave away in the first round $38.8 million to support more than 3,700 licensed child care providers. INDIANA Op-ed: Child care disruptions are costly to Indiana workers. Here’s how to solve them. Indy Star | 12/2/20 As our leaders prioritize funding for policies that will support Hoosier workers and grow our economy, early-childhood education should be a critical component of our recovery strategy. PENNSYLVANIA Child care centers facing challenges amid pandemic WFMZ | 12/1/20 Hundreds of child care centers across the state have closed their doors since the start of the pandemic. As COVID-19 cases continue to rise and more children stay home, there’s concern more centers could follow suit. |
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