A weekly digest of movement and news in the early childhood care and education field in Kansas and beyond.

Provided by the Center for Public Partnerships & Research at the University of Kansas

Workforce

2/7 – Child Care Employment 12.4% Below Pre-Pandemic Levels

The child care sector was having difficulties hiring and retaining workers long before the pandemic.

2/8 – The Lesser-known Effort to Help Fix Child Care and Pay Teachers More

Read about how Louisiana became the second state to commit to paying for subsidized child care based on what care costs rather than on what local parents pay.

COVID-19 and the Child Care Crisis

1/30 – Pandemic spotlights problems with the child care industry

NPR’s Michel Martin speaks with daycare owner Brenda Hawkins about the child care industry and what it’s like to be a child care provider during this difficult time.

2/9 – Rural Communities Feel Lack of Child Care Options More Acutely

Because of the general nature and characteristics of rural communities, the options for child care in those communities are felt more acutely.

2/11 – America’s Childcare Providers Are Still Struggling to Survive

The US child care industry has been crushed by the Covid-19 pandemic. From BNN Bloomberg.

Equity

1/26 – How Build Back Better Advances Racial Equity in Child Care and Early Education

CLASP provides analysis on ways that BBB would address racial inequities, both for families and providers.

Economics of Child Care

1/25 – Early Learning Programs Are Key To Labor Market Participation And A Stronger US Economy

Julia Klein, CEO at CH Briggs Company, shares concern that as jobs have rebounded, women workers have not. Via Forbes.