Katharine B. Stevens, PhD

Founder & President, Center on Child and Family Policy. Researcher; policy analyst; dedicated to advancing the well-being of young children and their families.

[Katharine B. Stevens, PhD @kbstevens]

The push for universal #childcare rests on three core claims:

- Parents want free childcare.
- The research proves big returns.
- Quality is scalable.

*Yet all three claims are false.*

My recent piece for @FamStudies takes a closer look at each:https://t.co/H0WMMcHyk3

[Katharine B. Stevens, PhD @kbstevens]

“For many mothers and fathers, caring for their own young children is the most important work they will ever do. Policy should honor and elevate that work—not displace it.”

[Brad Wilcox @BradWilcoxIFS]

"Three False Claims Behind The Push For Universal Child Care" @kbstevens https://t.co/gHNENyQnMT @FamStudies

[Katharine B. Stevens, PhD @kbstevens]

https://t.co/H0WMMcHyk3

[Katharine B. Stevens, PhD @kbstevens]

We know the early years matter a great deal — to children and to their parents. That's why we need to get early childhood policy right.

[The Institute for Family Studies @FamStudies]

Child care advocates insist that most families prefer quality child care programs to parental care, notes @kbstevens

But three recent national surveys, including a survey by @FamStudies , reveal the opposite. Most parents do not want their young children cared for by paid providers.

More here: https://t.co/Pi73Ttzwcg

[Katharine B. Stevens, PhD @kbstevens]

Three False Claims Behind the Push for Universal Child Care https://t.co/H0WMMcHyk3

[Katharine B. Stevens, PhD @kbstevens]

Thanks to @thedispatch for promoting much-needed debate on an issue so core to family and societal well-being.

[The Dispatch @thedispatch]

DISPATCH DEBATE - The Steep Cost of ‘Free’ Child Care:
Young children need deep human connection, not paid providers | @kbstevens & Jenet Erickson

Read here: https://t.co/sgg8elBZJY

[Katharine B. Stevens, PhD @kbstevens]

The loving relationships that drive early brain development cannot be delivered “at scale.”

Policy should empower parents, not replace them.

https://t.co/vnAAmziaGj

[Katharine B. Stevens, PhD @kbstevens]

State leadership delivers ECE results Washington can't.

States can move beyond one-size-fits-all mandates to craft targeted solutions — grounded in local needs — that empower parents & make programs better for children.

[Katharine B. Stevens, PhD @kbstevens]

Effective ECE policy is built by states, not Washington.

States control the levers that matter. When they get policy right, they see clear returns for their workforce, economy — and families with young children.

See why states must lead: https://t.co/NIj9bKIp8O

#earlychildhoodeducation #ECE #earlyedpolicy #childcarepolicy

[Katharine B. Stevens, PhD @kbstevens]

Effective ECE policy is built by states, not Washington.

States control the levers that matter. When they get policy right, they see clear returns for their workforce, economy — and families with young children.

See why states must lead: https://t.co/NIj9bKIp8O

#earlychildhoodeducation #ECE #earlyedpolicy #childcarepolicy

[Katharine B. Stevens, PhD @kbstevens]

Any setting where young children spend substantial time shapes their development.

When states treat “childcare” as separate from “education,” it wastes money and confuses families.

Smart policy focuses on real needs of children and families - not false bureaucratic distinctions.

[Katharine B. Stevens, PhD @kbstevens]

What's the difference between “childcare” and “early education”?

There isn’t one.

People often view childcare and early education as two different things, but this distinction ignores how young children actually develop.

Get the ECE Essentials: https://t.co/SnO0n1mahb

#earlychildhoodeducation #ECE #earlyedpolicy #childcarepolicy

[Katharine B. Stevens, PhD @kbstevens]

What's the difference between “childcare” and “early education”?

There isn’t one.

People often view childcare and early education as two different things, but this distinction ignores how young children actually develop.

Get the ECE Essentials: https://t.co/SnO0n1mahb

#earlychildhoodeducation #ECE #earlyedpolicy #childcarepolicy

[Katharine B. Stevens, PhD @kbstevens]

The ECE sector is in a workforce crisis, with annual turnover rates as high as 25-40%.

It’s costing businesses millions and disrupting the stable programs young children need.

Our second key policy goal is to build this workforce.

See all our strategies: https://t.co/l3SN7Q3uBy

#earlychildhoodeducation #ECE #earlyedpolicy #childcarepolicy

[Katharine B. Stevens, PhD @kbstevens]

Thrilled to introduce CCFP's new ECE State Policy Center: https://t.co/wSD7S4lQRT

[Katharine B. Stevens, PhD @kbstevens]

@IvanaDGreco Thanks so much, Ivana! 🙂

[Katharine B. Stevens, PhD @kbstevens]

You've seen our 5 core principles. Now, see the tools.

The ECE State Policy Center is designed for state leaders with a 120-term glossary, "Solutions in Action," and clear guides to ECE fundamentals.

Explore here: https://t.co/OzT8SaxwGG

#earlychildhoodeducation #ECE #earlyedpolicy #childcarepolicy

[Katharine B. Stevens, PhD @kbstevens]

Creating ECE policy that truly works for families, children, and state economies is complex. It requires a coherent foundation for decisionmaking.

I'm proud to announce that @_CCFP is launching a new ECE State Policy Center, with five core principles to guide the way:

[Katharine B. Stevens, PhD @kbstevens]

Many lower-income working parents face an impossible choice: put their child in a substandard program or give up a steady job.

This damages families and state economies.

Our first key policy goal is empowering these parents with real purchasing power & a diverse marketplace of options.

See the strategies: https://t.co/rLYeaDk0f0

#earlychildhoodeducation #ECE #earlyedpolicy #childcarepolicy