By Erica Phillips
The child care sector was already fragile when the pandemic struck, causing immense damage. In 2021, recognizing the urgency of the situation, Congress stepped in and issued grants to stabilize the industry. These grants became a lifeline for child care programs and families across the nation, ensuring the provision of quality care and early learning opportunities. However, with the expiration date of these grants approaching, there is an urgent need for Congress to take action and reauthorize them. Failure to do so would have dire consequences, causing widespread economic impact and exacerbating the existing strain on the child care system.
During the pandemic, nearly 10,000 family child care programs, many of which were led by minority providers, were forced to close their doors. This crisis has severely limited affordable and accessible child care options for families. The burden falls particularly heavily on working parents, especially mothers, who have had to juggle work and child care responsibilities. As a result, many parents have been forced to make difficult choices, such as reducing work hours, leaving the workforce altogether, or relying on subpar child care arrangements.
The Impact of Child Care Stabilization Grants
Child care stabilization grants have played a pivotal role in supporting Family Child Care (FCC) programs and families. The pandemic-era funding, totaling $52 billion, was primarily delivered through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and Child Care Stabilization Grants under the American Rescue Plan.
A 2022 Early Childhood Education survey revealed that 75% of child care directors and 85% of family child care owners received these funds, which covered expenses, maintained high-quality care, and increased accessibility for families. The grants were instrumental in preventing program closures and providing stability to the child care sector. A concerning 39% of FCC educators who received the grants said their program “would be closed without the support.”
However, $37 billion of those grants are set to expire September 30, 2023, leaving a gaping hole in an already strained and underfunded economic sector. Unlike public schools funded through broad-based taxes, child care relies heavily on fees from parents, making it expensive and leaving child care workers poorly paid.
Support for a Stable and Quality Child Care System
To ensure the stability and quality of the child care system, policymakers must increase public funding and support for the child care industry. Congress must extend the CCDBG and provide additional federal investments. They should also prioritize the support for Head Start and preschool programs. To ensure quality, Congress must actively involve FCC educators in decision-making processes and conduct ongoing research to understand their unique challenges. These measures will enable the formulation of targeted strategies to enhance support for FCC professionals.
Child care educators, predominantly women (94%) and often mothers themselves, are the unsung heroes of our communities. These dedicated individuals create a nurturing and secure environment, providing a second home for our children. Additionally, 40% of child care educators are people of color, bringing invaluable perspectives and cultural understanding to their work. By providing ongoing Federal funds to support these minority groups and their businesses, we have the opportunity to uplift their voices, celebrate their contributions, and create an even stronger and more vibrant child care sector.
Congress has a critical responsibility to secure the future of child care by reauthorizing the child care stabilization grants. We must recognize the vital role of child care educators and invest in their well-being, enabling them to continue their essential work. By prioritizing increased funding, involving educators in decision-making processes, and conducting continuous research, we can build a robust child care system that supports families, empowers educators, and ensures a brighter future for our children.
About the author
Erica Phillips is the executive director of the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), a nationwide non-profit organization dedicated to promoting high-quality child care by strengthening the profession of family child care for nearly one million paid home-based early learning programs.
