New DC Data Brief: D.C. Can’t Have Economic Recovery Without Child Care Investments

We released a new brief today from the Under 3 DC Coalition, which we co-chair, and our partner the District of Columbia Association for the Education of Young Children (DCAEYC) summarizing data from recent surveys of the child care community about its financial losses as a result of COVID-19 and the need for dedicated emergency funding to preserve this essential sector. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and compounded existing issues of access, quality, equity and funding in the District of Columbia’s child care system for families with infants and toddlers. Investments in our early learning system are a necessity for reopening the District and supporting long-term economic recovery. This system was already financially fragile before the pandemic — with programs operating on thin margins — and will not survive unless dedicated recovery funding is provided. In addition, workers with young children will not return to work without safe and affordable child care.

This brief sheds light on the looming and overlooked child care crisis and highlights five key takeaways, along with recommendations designed to help policymakers, funders and advocates make informed decisions about where resources are needed most in the District to support families with young children as businesses begin to reopen and temporary work-from-home options are phased out.

You can read the full brief here: D.C. Can’t Have Economic Recovery Without Child Care Investments