New Study Shows Ohio Families Need Access to Quality Child Care
Parents want the best for their children, including quality early childhood education. As a new study by the Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy reveals, however, accessing quality early childhood education can be a major barrier for Ohio families.
Surveying more than 2,000 families with children 5 years old and younger in Franklin County, the study found that the most cited barrier for parents to enrolling their children in an early learning program was program quality. In fact, 7 in 10 parents said they would choose not to place their child in a program if the program had a poor-quality rating. At the same time, a majority of parents surveyed – nearly 60% – said it was difficult finding quality care for their children.
The bottom line: Parents care about quality in child care. In order to return to and stay in the workforce, parents need to know that their infants and toddlers are being cared for in a trusted, safe, and stimulating learning environment. Policymakers must invest in quality, affordable child care to support Ohio families, children, and the workforce!
Join the 2021 National Prenatal-to-3 Research to Policy Summit
On Thursday, October 7, you're invited to join thousands of policymakers, scholars, and early childhood professionals across the country to learn how to strengthen state policies that impact the foundational prenatal-to-3 development period.
During this FREE virtual summit hosted by the Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center, you'll hear directly from state leaders about what actions they've taken to increase investments that strengthen systems impacting the prenatal to age 3 period. You'll also learn about state investments and policies that best support the earliest and most rapid period of a child's development.
Quality Child Care Plays a Critical Role in Supporting Working Parents
This week, more than 50 CEOs of major companies called on Congress to make more investments in quality, affordable child care. In a letter to Congress, the CEOs made clear that quality child care plays a critical role in supporting parents in the workforce – especially mothers.
On Wednesday, September 29 at 2:00 PM ET, you're invited to join The Hunt Institute, Council for a Strong America, Ready Nation, and Ready Nation Ohio for a webinar spotlighting the importance of child care in supporting a thriving workforce.
The session, which will include remarks from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, will spotlight Ohio leaders with lessons to share with the nation.
Upcoming Event to Discuss Child Care in Rural America
Child care in rural America is challenging for parents and providers. Rural areas are far more underserved than urban areas, making it even harder for rural parents to access child care within an already fragile system.
Join the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) on Wednesday, October 6 at 2:00 PM ET for a conversation on how child care for rural families has changed over time and to explore the results of BPC's latest survey on child care issues unique to rural America.
Help Keep Ohio Children Healthy and Safe During the Pandemic
Earlier this month, the Ohio Children's Hospital Association warned that hospitals are becoming overwhelmed with young COVID-19 patients. More kids are coming into Ohio hospitals with COVID symptoms and being hospitalized, threatening the capacity of Ohio's pediatric safety net in ways we have never experienced before.
Together, we can keep our children safer. The Ohio Children's Hospital Association is urging all Ohioans to do their part to help protect our state’s children by:
Getting vaccinated if you are eligible
Wearing a mask
Following social distancing and handwashing practices
Whether you are a parent, early childhood professional, or an advocate, we all have a role to play in keeping our youngest children healthy and safe.
Want to increase your impact? Share this message with family, friends, and colleagues now!