This week’s updates focus on key developments in child care, from new investments in facilities to the persistent challenges faced by child care workers. We also explore policy proposals that aim to address the rising costs of both child care and housing for families.
1. Cherokee Nation Breaks Ground on $25 Million Child Development Center in Catoosa
Cherokee Phoenix reports that the Cherokee Nation has started construction on a $25 million child development center in Catoosa, Oklahoma. This facility will serve as a hub for early childhood education, providing crucial resources to children and families in the area. The center is part of the Cherokee Nation’s broader investment in expanding child care and educational services, further supporting the community’s needs. Read more: Cherokee Phoenix
2. Child Care Workers Often Struggle to Survive, Report Suggests
According to a report highlighted by EdSource, child care workers continue to face economic hardships, often earning wages too low to meet basic living expenses. Despite their essential role in the workforce, many workers are forced to navigate poverty-level incomes, creating a significant barrier to sustaining the industry. The report underscores the need for higher wages and better financial support for child care professionals. Read more: EdSource
3. Address High Child Care and Housing Costs to Support Families and Build Up Child Care Supply
The National Women’s Law Center emphasizes that the rising costs of both child care and housing are placing immense pressure on families. The report calls for comprehensive policies to reduce these financial burdens, with the aim of increasing the supply of affordable child care and improving overall access for working families. Addressing these dual crises will help build a stronger, more sustainable child care system. Read more: National Women’s Law Center
4. What Happens When a State Brings Deep Discounts to Child Care?
EdSurge explores how states offering deep discounts for child care can significantly benefit families, highlighting an initiative that brought major cost reductions to families in need. The article examines the outcomes of this policy, showing how reducing child care costs can lead to higher workforce participation and economic stability for families. This success story serves as a model for how other states might address the child care affordability crisis. Read more: EdSurge
These stories reflect the ongoing challenges in the child care sector, but they also highlight some promising steps forward, from community investments to policy innovations that aim to ease the financial burden on families.