Child Care & Early Learning

New Early Learning Initiative

Send a thank-you note to President Obama

President Obama announced his ambitious agenda for early care and education.

Learn more and take action...
Impact of Sequestration State by State

How will the March 1st across-the-board cuts impact children?

Our interactive map shows the impact of sequestration on CCDBG and Head Start in each state.

Check it out...
Child Care Assistance Policies Are On a Downward Slide

Child Care Assistance is on a Downward Slide

NWLC's new report shows that families in 27 states are worse off than they were in 2011 under one or more child care assistance policies.

Read more...
My Child Care Love Story

My Child Care Love Story

We don't hear enough about the good experiences parents have with child care.

Raise your voice and share your story on our new Tumblr.

Child Care & Early Learning Experts Discuss Reforms

On 9/27, NWLC's Helen Blank spoke on a NAF panel of experts in child care and early learning.

Watch now.
New Early Learning Initiative
Impact of Sequestration
Child Care Assistance
My Child Care Love Story
Reforming Child Care

Highlights

Fact Sheet | High-Quality Prekindergarten Is a Wise Investment

March 8, 2013

Early education helps prepare children to succeed in school and in life. This fact sheet summarizes the beneifts of Prekindergarten.

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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.

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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.  

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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.  

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More Resources

Fact Sheet | Women and Children Last - Again: An Analysis of the President's FY 2007 Budget

February 15, 2006
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Reports & Toolkits | In Their Own Voices, Parents and Providers Struggling with Child Care Cuts

September 30, 2005
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Reports & Toolkits | Child Care Assistance Policies 2005: States Fail to Make Up Lost Ground, Families Continue to Lack Critical Supports

September 20, 2005

Help paying child care is crucial for low-income families given the high cost of care. Yet little has been done to help these parents and providers. While there were positive developments in several states, a number of states put more restrictive policies in place.

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Reports & Toolkits | Power to the People: The Effectiveness of Ballot Measures in Advancing Early Care and Education

September 15, 2005
As states cut funding for child care and early education programs, many advocates for children have taken their case directly to voters. This Reports & Toolkits from the National Women's Law Center finds that voters are often willing to fund services that their elected officials have not always made a priority. Analyzing most of the measures that appeared on the ballot through 2003 in which increased investment in early care and education or after-school programs was the central or a significant component, the Reports & Toolkits concludes that ballot measures can be a useful tool for securing and stabilizing increased funding for early education, child care and after-school programs. Read more...

Reports & Toolkits | Power to the People: The Effectiveness of Ballot Measures in Advancing Early Care and Education: Executive Summary

September 15, 2005
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