Executive summary

In the United States, many parents face difficulty while assessing options for early childcare and education. Accessibility to these services is a multifaceted issue stemming from socioeconomic factors and differences in state laws and priorities. This issue has been considered by governmental bodies and parents for years, yet a successful solution has yet to be implemented.

Overview

1. Relevance

3,591,328 babies were born in the United States in 2023, with higher numbers in the years prior and more being born daily. Despite a decreasing nationwide birth rate, these newborns must be cared for, raised, and educated as they enter a complex and changing country. How they are raised, including their proximity to their parents (or parent), amount of educational enrichment, and safety all help determine their well-being, meaning that the quality of their environment during this stage in life is relevant. Additionally, this time acts as the foundation for their development, ability to thrive in adulthood, and membership in society, reiterating the necessity of providing quality care.

Given the relevance of early childcare, it is necessary to find a solution for the inaccessibility of the service. According to the United States Census Bureau in 2022, 35% of parents with children under five years of age did not have formal childcare, 35% of parents with young children did not work so that they could take care of their children, and 67% of parents with household incomes under $50,000 had no childcare. This issue impacts many and causes struggles in other areas, such as struggles due to low socioeconomic status and lack of employment. Leaving this problem unaddressed will harm more children and parents.

History

1. Current Stances

It is generally uncontested that these services are important for children across the country, but who is responsible for providing them becomes more problematic. Various US states have different state and locally-operated programs regarding early childcare and education. For example, states like New Mexico, Florida, Oklahoma, and Vermont have emphasized providing state-funded early childcare services for those in need.

This issue has been an important topic within the US legislative and executive branches for years, prompting discourse about what programs should be funded and how they should be funded. The Bi-partisan Congressional Pre-K and Child Care Caucus, created in 2016 and chaired by Representative Joaquin Castro, Representative Suzzane Bonacini, Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, and Representative Ashley Hinson, supports changes to the current accessibility to early childcare and education. They attempt to take a bi-partisan approach to the issue, emphasizing the desire of many Americans for change. Despite strong Democratic support, many Republicans and conservative members pose various objections.

Also at the Federal level, Head Start attempts to mitigate the problem nationwide, demonstrating recognition by the Federal government of the need for these services. Despite the general successes of this program, criticisms and shortcomings are still considerable, especially from those who do not benefit from the program.

Parents also emphasize the need for quality childcare that they can access, given financial and workplace constraints. It is generally the top priority for parents to ensure that their children are safe and educated, while also balancing their ability to work, time with their families, and other financial considerations. Many parents call for more accessible childcare, while others are content with the current system and options.

There are a myriad of non-profit and community-based organizations that focus on fighting economic barriers to quality childcare and development services, indicating wide-scale community concern and support for the issue. Citizen and voter support is also evident. Based on a poll published by the First Five Years Fund that gathered responses from voters before the 2024 presidential election, 74% of Republicans, 86% of Independents, and 96% of Democrats wanted solutions to childcare accessibility. 

Tried Policy

 The first significant policy surrounding early childcare and education was the creation of the Head Start Program by Lyndon B Johnson in 1965 in an attempt to reduce poverty through increased accessibility to childcare for children ages zero to five. This legislation is so significant since the program has persisted throughout almost fifteen administrations and various changes in federal departments and leadership. The program is under the Administration for Children and Families in the Department of Health and Human Services. It provides free childcare to financially eligible families in all fifty states and some US territories. In general, the Head Start program has helped lessen inaccessibility to childcare, as a 2018 study showed how on average, Head Start accounts for 24% of childcare options nationwide. Additionally, Head Start has been productive in increasing success in school and beyond. Still, issues arise regarding federal funding of the program, shortages in childcare workers, and the sustained existence of the childcare crisis.

Discussion about childcare accessibility has increased over the past decade, with policymakers proposing various solutions. From 2013 to 2023, 200 bills centered on childcare and education, outlining various goals and focusing on different underserved groups, were introduced in the US Congress. The majority of these bills were proposed by Democratic members, although some received bipartisan support and/or were proposed by Republican members. Out of these 200 bills, six were passed and became laws.

The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014 allowed for the reauthorization of the Child Care and Development Block Grant program until 2020. This reauthorization was focused on fiscal reporting of each state, analysis of eligibility of the program, and efforts to improve the quality of the program. Overall, this act met its intended goal, of providing financial assistance for those in need. However, it was costly and accessibility issues still existed. The 2015 Every Student Succeeds Act was an important act for the education system as it focused on helping students, especially from underprivileged communities, meet learning outcomes in a variety of subjects through increased independence of state school systems, flexible testing policies, teacher evaluations, and additional assistance to under-performing skills. Although this was relatively beneficial for elementary school children, it did not address early childcare.

In 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CARES Act was enacted and contained provisions aimed at combating the hardship faced by families, children, and childcare workers in a time of crisis. Similarly, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 increased the amount of funding for the childcare and development block grant program, especially attempting to help essential workers during the pandemic and overall access to childcare. Also in 2020, the Childcare Protection Improvement Act was enacted, attempting to enforce a background check requirement for childcare providers and workers. While both of these acts were relevant and necessary, many more steps were needed to improve the quality and accessibility of childcare, especially given the societal and economic changes created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The most recent child welfare legislation passed was the Jackie Walorski Maternal and Child Home Visiting Reauthorization Act of 2022 which essentially increased funding and accessibility for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program. This program helps mothers and young children in vulnerable communities and situations by partnering families with counselors who help promote health and wellness. While this program is helpful for families in need, it does not directly address childcare concerns or benefit all of the people in need.

No legislation in the 118th Congress has been made, however notable attempts like the Child Care For Working Families Act have been reintroduced. Despite legislative strides in the past years, new solutions are needed to combat the childcare crisis.

Policy Problem

A. Stakeholders

The primary stakeholders in this issue are children up to age five and their parents. This issue directly affects them by creating difficulty in finding quality, affordable childcare that is enriching and beneficial. It is in the best interest of the parents and their children to expand access. If children have a safer and more stable environment growing up, they are more likely to have better experiences in the future.

Early childhood educators and teachers are also important to recognize since they are responsible for educating children aged five and above. When children have a stronger foundation in their developmental years, their ability to learn, behave, and interact with other children in a school setting improves. Participation in quality childcare would ideally encourage more efficient learning and future success. 

Social organizations and non-profit organizations can help provide necessary services for children and families when the government is unable to. By organizing a group of passionate individuals with the families’ best interests in mind under a structured organization, exceptional programs can be made that help mitigate the issue and act as examples for policy reform and implementation.

Businesses are also involved in the childcare crisis due to the correlation between parent inaccessibility to childcare and their ability to work. These decreased hours and increased absences due to parents’ necessary priorities can decrease business productivity and success.  

B. Risks of Indifference

Leaving the childcare crisis unaddressed poses various threats to the economy, workforce, and well-being of children and families.

The accessibility of childcare impacts the economy by preventing parents from working due to their need to provide for their children. For example, a poll completed by the First Five Years Fund said that “88% of business owners agree that employees who have young children will be more likely to remain in the workforce if they have access to affordable, high-quality childcare and 78% said their business would be on stronger footing if their employees had better access to affordable, quality childcare”. Based on this evidence, it is supported that childcare obligations and the inability to afford quality care are determining factors in a parent's ability to work, resulting in decreased business productivity. Additionally, a study conducted by ReadyNation claimed that the “infant-toddler childcare crisis now costs $122 billion in lost earnings, productivity, and revenue every year” with this cost being the most taxing on parents but also affecting taxpayers and businesses. The combination of parents spending costly amounts on childcare while also having their ability to work altered will continue to impact the economy and businesses if left unchecked.

It is likely that the workforce will continue to change if the childcare crisis continues. For example, the number of hours missed due to insufficient childcare, the number of part-time workers, the number of remote workers, and the pressure on women to return to the workforce earlier in an attempt to not jeopardize their careers have increased over the years due to inadequate childcare options. This means that the childcare crisis is negatively impacting parents' ability to work properly, a crucial part of their livelihood that may result in even more detrimental results such as a loss of job or insufficient income. The conditions of childcare workers are also notable when addressing the workforce. There has been an ongoing deficit in childcare workers over the past years, especially since the COVID-19 crisis. Workers do not have high wages and are constantly tasked with providing more quality childcare. Again, their rule in the workforce is notable as it has economic impacts and raises concerns for the future of the childcare industry.

Finally, the well-being of families and children is the largest risk of indifference. Children who lack proper education in their formative years are more likely to struggle later on in life, so their early childhood care is important in supporting their well-being in the future. The same thing can be said for parents, as they should not undergo economic and familial hardship while trying to keep their children safe and enriched.

C. Nonpartisan Reasoning

An investment in the conditions of care for young children will benefit many members of society, justifying a non-partisan approach to new policies.  The well-being of young children just entering the world and the families involved should be prioritized by the government regardless of party since it addresses quality of life. Additionally, focusing on creating stable and foundational early years for children would ideally mitigate future problems, hopefully resulting in a more productive and prosperous society. 

Education policy should also be considered from a non-partisan approach since the education levels of children should be a concern for all people regardless of partisanship. While the content of education may be disputed, ensuring that children are enriched and prepared to be functioning members of society is a commonly agreed upon and fundamental purpose of education.

While party differences may affect policy regarding what entity should be responsible for providing these services, how these services should be funded, and if these services belong in the public sphere, it is important to consider all perspectives and ultimately determine a policy solution that promotes well-being and protects children.

Policy Recommendations

1. Allow states to have control over funding for government-sanctioned childcare programs

While programs like Head Start are controlled and funded by the federal government and are dependent on Congressional approval, increased state control could create programs that better suit the needs of the citizens and have fewer barriers to funding approval. Childcare accessibility concerns and needs, although nationwide, differ per state when considering the number of people in need and regions that are at the highest risk. Having state or even county legislatures in charge of the programs may result in more productivity since they are more likely to directly address the grievances of their constituents. A combination of federal and state programs may be successful as well. Alongside Head Start and other similar programs, states can create programs using state tax-payer money, focused on specializing to the goals of the citizens.

2. Support childcare workers and non-profit organizations.

When government programs cannot provide quality, early childcare services for every parent struggling, non-profit organizations and more people involved in childcare can help address the problem. Encouraging people to donate, involve themselves in, or even start non-profit organizations that provide counseling and advice to parents when struggling with accessibility to childcare can impact parents and bring attention to this issue. Additionally, encouraging people to get involved with working in childcare programs would potentially allow for more availability in programs and more quality care. This encouragement could be done through government legislation and company policies that call for better benefits and increased pay for childcare workers.

3. Increase the amount of paid maternal or paternal leave.

Enacting legislation that required employers nationwide to grant a minimum amount of paid maternity leave could help address the childcare crisis by giving parents more financial stability and time to figure out future childcare options. While this would be costly for businesses, it would ideally reduce the amount of workers who have to take additional time off, work part-time, or resign due to difficulty finding childcare. Paid maternity and paternity leave is popular among adults in the US, meaning that this legislation would most likely be supported by the public, but potentially not employers. However, the benefits of this paid leave would ideally outweigh the costs associated. 

Conclusions

Accessibility to childcare is an increasingly pressing issue that will continually impact American parents, children, and businesses if not addressed. Newborn children who are not yet school-age need quality childcare that promotes their safety, well-being, and enrichment so that they will be prepared for future success. Although helpful policies have been enacted and have started to reduce the problem, more action is needed. The childcare crisis is costly, but reiterating the importance of federal, state, and locally funded child-care programs for underprivileged families, supporting paid parental leave nationwide, and encouraging people to get involved with a cause will ideally help more people. The country must act now for the well-being of parents and the future prosperity of new generations.

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Acknowledgment

The Institute for Youth in Policy wishes to acknowledge Gwen Singer, Mason Carlisle, Lilly Kurtz, Paul Kramer. and other contributors for developing and maintaining the Fellowship Program within the Institute.

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