Skip to contentNational Women's Law Center

Child care is a basic that helps families get ahead by giving parents the support and peace of mind they need to be productive at work and children the boost they need to succeed in school. To help increase families' access to affordable, high-quality care, we have worked with a coalition of national and state organizations to develop a blueprint for the future of child care. We also have resources on specific child care topics, including: child care assistance, child care tax strategies, child care unionization, family, friend and neighbor care, and the U.S. military child care system.

Frequently requested child care reports: see State Child Care Assistance Policies 2011: Reduced Support for Families in Challenging Times and State by State Fact Sheets: Child Care Assistance Policies 2011.

Highlights

Fact Sheet | Expand Access to High-Quality Early Care and Education for Infants and Toddlers

March 8, 2013

High-quality early care and education is essential for children in their earliest years of life when they are first learning and exploring, yet high-quality programs are in short supply.

Read more...

Fact Sheet | Child Care: A Core Support to Children and Families

February 12, 2013

This fact sheet offers an overview of the importance of child care assistance for children and families.

Read more...

Fact Sheet | Governors’ 2013 State of the State Addresses: Mentions of Early Care and Education

March 14, 2013

A total of 27 governors (as well as the mayor of the District of Columbia) referenced early care and education in their 2013 state of the state addresses—an increase from 22 governors in 2012 and 17 governors in 2011. These governors recognize that early care and education helps prepare young children for future educational success, provides crucial support for parents, and strengthens our nation’s economy.  

Read more...

Reports & Toolkits | Downward Slide: State Child Care Assistance Policies 2012

October 11, 2012

The National Women's Law Center's 9th annual review of key child care subsidy policies in all fifty states and the District of Columbia reveals that families were worse off in 27 states than they were in 2011 under one or more child care assistance policies.  Families are not only worse off in 2012 than they were in 2011, but are also worse off than a decade ago.  

Read more...

More Resources

Webinars & Presentations | Child Care & Early Learning Experts Discuss Reforms on NAF Panel

October 01, 2012

Webinars & Presentations | Audio and Transcript for Federal Budget Roadmap - Where We're Going & What We Need to Do

September 20, 2012

Fact Sheet | A Timeline for Upcoming Federal Budget Decisions

September 06, 2012

Webinars & Presentations | Audio and Transcript for How State and Local Advocates Stopped Cutbacks and Achieved Successes

July 24, 2012

Fact Sheet | Additional Child Care Funding is Essential to Stop State Cuts

July 12, 2012