Child Care Challenges Undermine Our Nation’s Strength

Barry D. Ford, J.D., President and CEO

June 2, 2021
Child care in America is:

▪ Too expensive:
▪ more than in-state public college tuition in 30 states and DC

▪ Too scarce:
▪ 51% in child care “deserts”

▪ Often not of high quality

▪ Staffed by a workforce that is undervalued and

undercompensated:
▪ average wages $25,500/year

▪ Largely home-based:
▪ 97% of settings, 65% of kids

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Quality child care can increase public safety

“High-quality early childhood education is critical to public

safety because it lays the foundation for future learning
and teaches children how to interact with others.”
-Jimmy Macon, Chief of Police,
Harpersville, AL
Member, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids

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Quality child care can enhance national
security

“Quality child care can set kids on a healthy path to

help our nation prepare for future challenges.”
-Maj. General (Ret.) Mark R. Musick,
U.S. Air Force
Member, Mission: Readiness

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 Quality child care strengthens the current
and future workforce

“Investments in high-quality early childhood education

are essential to support our children’s success in
school and, longer-term, in the workplace.”
-Edmond E. Hughes, Vice President,
HR&A, Ingalls Shipbuilding
Member, ReadyNation

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The infant-toddler child care crisis costs our
nation $57 B annually

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The infant-toddler child care crisis inflicts
economic damage in states across the nation

What’s the impact in your state? An interactive map

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Conclusion

• Support for public investments in child care has been bipartisan for
years.

• Access to high-quality child care is foundational to the strength of

our nation and our economy.

• Families need high-quality child care options that are affordable and
flexible.

• Equity should inform our policy approaches at every level of

government.

• The thriving of all children must be a national priority – that begins

with major investments in early care and education.

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