Federally funded child care promotes positive childhood experiences [positiveexperience.org/blog]

By Laura Gallant, 9/14/23, https://positiveexperience.org/blog/

Having access to child care is fundamental to practicing positive childhood experiences (PCEs) and creating access to all Four Building Blocks of HOPE. Affordable child care creates less financial stress leading to less stress in the home. Children have a safe environment to play and learn in during the week, creating routine and stability.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) included funding for child care programs. This funding gave families much-needed relief from child care costs and better access to child care services. The funding provided by the ARPA lifted barriers that many experience when looking for child care services, and, in turn, lifted barriers to PCEs.

On September 30, 2023, this funding is set to end. Without the ARPA funding, about 3.2 million children will lose their spots in child care programs, and 70,000 child care programs will be forced to close. Families will have to choose between leaving their jobs to provide full care for their children and financially struggle, and keeping their incomes while living with the ongoing threat of unstable child care options. Either choice can leave families stressed and under-supported.

[Click here to read the full blog post.]