Early childhood education programs are facing a serious risk of losing funding and quality due to budget cuts in the US. These programs, which provide essential learning and development opportunities for children from birth to age five, have been proven to have long-term benefits for individuals and society. However, many of them are struggling to survive amid the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the lack of adequate federal and state support.
Early childhood education (ECE) is more than just child care. It is a comprehensive approach to support the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of young children, especially those from low-income and disadvantaged backgrounds. ECE programs include preschools, Head Start, Early Head Start, child care centers, family child care homes, and home visiting programs.
Research has shown that ECE programs can have positive impacts on children’s academic achievement, health, behavior, and life outcomes. For example, a study by Nobel laureate James Heckman and his colleagues found that participants of a high-quality ECE program in North Carolina had higher test scores, higher graduation rates, lower crime rates, and higher earnings than their peers who did not attend the program. Another study by the RAND Corporation estimated that every dollar invested in ECE programs could yield a return of $2.69 to $4.20 for society.
The Challenges Facing ECE Programs
Despite the evidence of the benefits of ECE programs, many of them are facing severe challenges due to budget cuts and rising costs. According to a report by the Center for American Progress, ECE programs in 27 states received less funding in 2020 than they did in 2008, after adjusting for inflation. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation, as many programs had to close temporarily or permanently, reduce their capacity, lay off staff, or increase their fees to cope with the health and safety guidelines and the reduced demand for services.
The federal government has provided some relief funds for ECE programs through the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan, but these are not enough to cover the losses and expenses incurred by the pandemic. Moreover, these funds are temporary and do not address the underlying structural problems of the ECE system, such as the low wages and benefits for ECE workers, the high cost and limited availability of quality ECE services for families, and the lack of coordination and alignment among different ECE programs and agencies.
The Need for More Investment and Reform in ECE
To ensure that ECE programs can survive and thrive in the post-pandemic era, more investment and reform are needed at both the federal and state levels. Some of the policy recommendations proposed by ECE advocates and experts include:
- Increasing the funding and eligibility for existing ECE programs, such as Head Start, Child Care and Development Block Grant, and Preschool Development Grant.
- Creating a universal preschool program for all three- and four-year-olds, similar to the one proposed by President Joe Biden in his American Families Plan.
- Improving the quality and standards of ECE programs, such as by requiring higher qualifications and training for ECE workers, implementing evidence-based curricula and assessments, and providing more support and resources for ECE providers.
- Expanding the access and affordability of ECE services for families, such as by capping the child care costs at a percentage of income, offering subsidies and tax credits for ECE expenses, and increasing the supply and diversity of ECE options.
- Strengthening the coordination and collaboration among different ECE programs and agencies, such as by creating a unified ECE system with common goals, governance, and accountability, and by engaging stakeholders from various sectors and communities.
Early childhood education programs are vital for the well-being and success of children and society. However, they are at risk of losing their quality and sustainability due to budget cuts and the pandemic. More investment and reform are needed to protect and improve these programs and to ensure that every child has a fair and equal opportunity to learn and grow.
