CAP Early Childhood

Early childhood policy and news from the Center for American Progress @amprog

[CAP Early Childhood @CAPEarlyEd]

Hey 👋— 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.
📰 Newsletter: https://t.co/tPnLfwIeUs
💻 Website: https://t.co/w6U9BsyzOw
🌐 Instagram: https://t.co/Qby5dx1wK0

[CAP Early Childhood @CAPEarlyEd]

How do you measure childcare supply? Our new research maps licensed availability across the country — & the gaps are everywhere. Join us TOMORROW to learn more:
📅 June 4, 2026 | 🕥 10:30am ET | 🏛️ at CAP & online
RSVP here: https://t.co/PHYBMSROQP

[CAP Early Childhood @CAPEarlyEd]

🚨 HAPPENING IN TWO DAYS! 🚨
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!
https://t.co/PHYBMSROQP

[CAP Early Childhood @CAPEarlyEd]

Nearly 1 in 2 young children in the U.S. lives in a child care desert — 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: https://t.co/PHYBMSROQP

[CAP Early Childhood @CAPEarlyEd]

Our event on June 4 brings together data, lawmakers, and lived experience to chart a path forward. 2/2

📅 June 4, 2026
🕥 10:30am ET
🏛️ at CAP and online
RSVP here: https://t.co/PHYBMSROQP

[CAP Early Childhood @CAPEarlyEd]

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

[CAP Early Childhood @CAPEarlyEd]

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: https://t.co/gtMyEy9NI4

[CAP Early Childhood @CAPEarlyEd]

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:
https://t.co/7gFoFNYbDO

[CAP Early Childhood @CAPEarlyEd]

https://t.co/sS7hRWyL4y 3/3

[CAP Early Childhood @CAPEarlyEd]

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

[CAP Early Childhood @CAPEarlyEd]

https://t.co/oGoHcM9abt 2/3

[CAP Early Childhood @CAPEarlyEd]

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.
https://t.co/gtMyEy9NI4

[American Progress @amprog]

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.

[American Progress @amprog]

Child care is notoriously unaffordable. But parents also know that even if they can afford a program: sometimes it’s not possible to find one.

Is your community a child care desert?

[CAP Early Childhood @CAPEarlyEd]

Want to know how this was studied? Read the technical report: https://t.co/RGbeEK0CXT

[CAP Early Childhood @CAPEarlyEd]

Child care is notoriously unaffordable. But parents also know that even if they can afford a program, sometimes it’s not possible to find. CAP’s new report explores these licensed supply shortages 🧵
https://t.co/t4ZAgZCcJQ

https://t.co/gtMyEy9NI4

[CAP Early Childhood @CAPEarlyEd]

Read the full report: https://t.co/gtMyEy9NI4 and check out the short explainer: https://t.co/9vW9DswM5p