Early childhood policy and news from the Center for American Progress @amprog
Joined June 2013
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27 Aug 2025
Hey šā Here are other places you can find us and follow along to stay up to date on all things Early Childhood Policy and more at the Center for American Progress.
š° Newsletter: americanprogress.org/stay-inā¦
š» Website: americanprogress.org/team/eaā¦
š Instagram: instagram.com/americanprogreā¦
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CAP Early Childhood retweeted
Jun 11
As a small business owner, child care provider Kiera Fernandez relies on the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund program to ensure she can provide for her teachers and keep her doors open for local families and children.
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CAP Early Childhood retweeted
Jun 8
"When our kids thrive, communities thrive, and when communities thrive, we all thrive." It's time to invest in our children and build a child care system that supports our youngest learners. #UniversalChildCare
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Childcare IS early education - & children deserve the strongest possible start in life. A chronically underfunded system has left families with unaffordable options & scare supply. That's why we need bold solutions from all gov't leaders.
Learn more: americanprogress.org/events/ā¦
Jun 5
Affordable, accessible childcare is not a luxury item; it's an essential first step in our education system. Hear from @WhipKClark:
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How do you measure childcare supply? Our new research maps licensed availability across the country ā & the gaps are everywhere. Join us TOMORROW to learn more:
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June 4, 2026 | š„ 10:30am ET | šļø at CAP & online
RSVP here: americanprogress.org/events/ā¦
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šØ HAPPENING IN TWO DAYS! šØ
We're hosting a 3-panel event at CAP & online exploring our new data on licensed child care access, what Congressional leaders can do about it, & how families are navigating this system. Come and join us!
americanprogress.org/events/ā¦
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Nearly 1 in 2 young children in the U.S. lives in a child care desert ā a community where licensed care spots are far outnumbered by children who need them. New research, but an old problem. Join us to learn more about this work & discuss solutions: americanprogress.org/events/ā¦
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The child care crisis isn't abstract. It's a parent leaving a job they can't afford to lose. It's a young child sitting on a 2-year waitlist, their family hoping for a slot. It's a provider closing because margins don't add up. New research maps the scope of the problem. 1/2
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Our event on June 4 brings together data, lawmakers, and lived experience to chart a path forward. 2/2
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June 4, 2026
š„ 10:30am ET
šļø at CAP and online
RSVP here: americanprogress.org/events/ā¦
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Head Start is a remarkable program, with outsized benefits, considering its limited $$$. Rural communities depend on it, but in our research on deserts, we found that ~1/2 have no access at all. A rule change cutting ed wages will make that crisis worse: americanprogress.org/articleā¦
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The Trump admin just released a prelim change to Head Start that undermines a commitment to improve wages. It all but guarantees these educators will live in poverty - or be forced to leave the field, worsening already dire shortages. Listen for yourself:
americanprogress.org/articleā¦
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The Trump admin just released a rule change to the federal child care subsidy program that risks destabilizing child care programs & making care more expensive for already-struggling families.
Kids deserve a strong start, not a bet against their futures.
Learn more: 1/3
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Licensed child care deserts affect millions of kids nationwide, with ripple effects that extend far beyond any one family. When kids lose out on high-quality care & early edu, we feel that loss in reduced economic vitality & in higher burdens on families.
americanprogress.org/articleā¦
May 5
Do you live in a child care desert?
46% of all young children in America live in child care deserts, where for too many families, it's an uphill battle to both find and afford licensed child care.
Child care access is a equity problem, and families deserve solutions.
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CAP Early Childhood retweeted
Apr 30
Child care is notoriously unaffordable. But parents also know that even if they can afford a program: sometimes itās not possible to find one.
Is your community a child care desert?
ALT Graphic with a pink background and puzzle pieces. Text states that 46% of young children in the U.S. live in a "licensed child care desert," where there are often 3 or more children competing for every 1 available spot with a licensed care provider.
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Child care is notoriously unaffordable. But parents also know that even if they can afford a program, sometimes itās not possible to find. CAPās new report explores these licensed supply shortages š§µ
americanprogress.org/featureā¦
americanprogress.org/articleā¦
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Read the full report: americanprogress.org/articleā¦ and check out the short explainer: americanprogress.org/articleā¦
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Want to know how this was studied? Read the technical report: americanprogress.org/articleā¦
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