Why ‘Family, Friend and Neighbor Care’ Is an Essential Part of America’s Child Care System

FFN care is the most common type of non-parental child care in the United States today.

Ashley Álvarez·Jan 14, 2025·6 min read

At 3 a.m., Reina Solano was startled awake by the ring of her phone. Her daughter, Ivonne Valadez Solano, was close to tears. With her newborn in one hand and her phone in the other, she frantically explained her problem. She had to leave for work but she couldn’t reach her mother-in-law, who had agreed to provide child care for her — and she had no other options because of the early hour. Solano did...

Philanthropic Partnership Aims to Expand Access to High-Quality Child Care

The Investing in America Child Care Partnership has raised $9.6 million to increase child care supply and improve the quality of care.

Mark Swartz·Jan 9, 2025·5 min read

What do semiconductors have in common with child care? An AI query (made possible, of course, by a semiconductor or two) provides a surprisingly astute...

In Ohio, Phonics-Based Science Of Reading for Preschoolers

After mandating science of reading as the only approach in elementary schools, the state is offering pre-K teachers free training and bonuses.

Patrick O'Donnell·Jan 8, 2025·3 min read

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has been pressing to use the phonics-based science of reading since early 2023, mandating the approach as the sole way to...

2024 Research Roundup: 3 Must-Read Studies About Early Care and Education

Three notable studies related to child care and early learning that the field should pay attention to.

Kendra Hurley·Jan 7, 2025·5 min read

As child care received unprecedented attention in this year’s presidential election — with presidential and vice presidential candidates alike pontificating about cost, funding and policy...

Most Read Stories of 2024: Our 10 Top Stories About Child Care and Early Learning

The themes that resonated include the experiences of working families, the mental health of young children, and the cost (and funding) of child care.

Marisa Busch·Jan 2, 2025·8 min read

As we enter 2025, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the stories we published over the past year that resonated most with readers. Among...

Why ‘Family, Friend and Neighbor Care’ Is an Essential Part of America’s Child Care System

FFN care is the most common type of non-parental child care in the United States today.

Ashley Álvarez·Jan 14, 2025·6 min read

Philanthropic Partnership Aims to Expand Access to High-Quality Child Care

The Investing in America Child Care Partnership has raised $9.6 million to increase child care supply and improve the quality of care.

Mark Swartz·Jan 9, 2025·5 min read

What do semiconductors have in common with child care? An AI query (made possible, of course, by a semiconductor or two) provides a surprisingly astute...

In Ohio, Phonics-Based Science Of Reading for Preschoolers

After mandating science of reading as the only approach in elementary schools, the state is offering pre-K teachers free training and bonuses.

Patrick O'Donnell·Jan 8, 2025·3 min read

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has been pressing to use the phonics-based science of reading since early 2023, mandating the approach as the sole way to...

2024 Research Roundup: 3 Must-Read Studies About Early Care and Education

Three notable studies related to child care and early learning that the field should pay attention to.

Kendra Hurley·Jan 7, 2025·5 min read

As child care received unprecedented attention in this year’s presidential election — with presidential and vice presidential candidates alike pontificating about cost, funding and policy...

Most Read Stories of 2024: Our 10 Top Stories About Child Care and Early Learning

The themes that resonated include the experiences of working families, the mental health of young children, and the cost (and funding) of child care.

Marisa Busch·Jan 2, 2025·8 min read

As we enter 2025, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the stories we published over the past year that resonated most with readers. Among...

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Elliot Haspel unpacks current events and explores possibilities for flourishing futures

KinderCare Is Now Trading on the Stock Market. What Does That Mean for the Future of American Child Care?

KinderCare, which serves nearly 200,000 children across the country, recently hit the public market.

Elliot Haspel·Dec 3, 2024·6 min read

Research Lab→

Groundbreaking research—from neuroscience, policy and practice—that increases knowledge and helps create more equitable communities and lives

New Research: Young Learners in South Carolina’s Majority Black Schools Facing Greater Suspensions

Stark racial disparities in harsh discipline found in a comparison study of Charleston elementary schools that include pre-K programs.

Jo Napolitano·Oct 1, 2024·7 min read

SPECIAL INVESTIGATION

“The End User Is a Dollar Sign, It’s Not a Child”: How Private Equity and Shareholders Are Reshaping American Child Care

An unprecedented degree of investor activity is creating a cascade of risks for the sector, risks which threaten the path toward an inclusive child care system which works well for all children, parents, and early educators.

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Child Care Crisis→

Reporting on the fragile systems of American child care, solutions and advances

Philanthropic Partnership Aims to Expand Access to High-Quality Child Care

The Investing in America Child Care Partnership has raised $9.6 million to increase child care supply and improve the quality of care.

Mark Swartz·Jan 9, 2025·5 min read

Community Cultivators→

Highlighting how innovators build and sustain global communities from the ground up

Parents and Caregivers Are Vital to Children’s Early Learning and Development

A team at the University of Chicago's TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health is building resources to help them understand brain development.

K.C. Compton·Dec 10, 2024·7 min read

Top Takeaways→

Recaps from important conversations, town halls, webinars and virtual events from the Early Learning field

5 Top Takeaways from the Conversation: From Access to Opportunity – The Magic of Children’s Books

Mark Swartz·Jul 30, 2024·4 min read

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Oklahoma Child Care Options Are Abysmal, and It’s Not By Accident

Guess who's the blame? Lawmakers.

Janelle Stecklein·Dec 23, 2024·4 min read

A few years ago, I had just about given up hope. Every...

Election Day Proved That Voters Want Action on Child Care

On Nov. 5, a number of ballot measures supporting child care were approved. What can be learned from the ballot measures that passed and failed?

Bryce Covert·Dec 18, 2024·7 min read

On Nov. 5, voters didn’t just head to the polls to select...

2024 Must-Reads: 9 Stories About Early Care and Education That We Can’t Stop Thinking About

Child care funding, the cost and quality of care, and working conditions and pay for early educators, were among the year’s top themes.

Marisa Busch·Dec 17, 2024·10 min read

From Bloomberg Businessweek to The 74, it’s now an annual tradition to...

A Decade Ago, Universal Pre-K Seemed Inevitable. What Went Wrong?

Williams: Politics may have killed universal pre-K but the research, results and family economics that made it such a strong bet are alive and well.

Conor P. Williams·Dec 12, 2024·5 min read

Early in my career — when the world was still young and...

Preschools Teach ‘Hardly Any Math’, Even as Students Struggle in Later Grades

Math advocates say more early math, taught through play or games, can help students later.

Patrick O'Donnell·Dec 11, 2024·8 min read

Preschool teacher Emily Johnson counts the row of green bear figurines Mayeda...

Parents and Caregivers Are Vital to Children’s Early Learning and Development

A team at the University of Chicago's TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health is building resources to help them understand brain development.

K.C. Compton·Dec 10, 2024·7 min read

Tune in, talk more, take turns is good advice for anyone hoping...

How a Local Early Learning Collaborative Is Centering Belonging to Better Support Families With Young Children

Through empowering families and cultivating a sense of belonging, the Santa Ana Early Learning Initiative aims to boost outcomes for young children.

Mark Swartz·Dec 5, 2024·6 min read

The Santa Ana Early Learning Initiative (SAELI), a collaborative supporting families with...

Nature’s Classroom: Why Preschoolers Need More Time Outdoors

Most American preschoolers don’t get enough time outdoors, according to a new report from the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER).

Karen D'Souza, EdSource·Dec 4, 2024·8 min read

At a forest school, the roof is the bright blue sky, a...