Rethinking Early Childhood Education and Childcare in the COVID-19 Era. Backgrounder. No. 3533

The COVID-19 pandemic offers policymakers the opportunity to rethink early childhood education and childcare in America, and to do a better job of aligning services with the needs and preferences of families. The availability of suitable childcare--affordable and convenient with adequate hours in a desirable environment--is a key component of economic recovery, where working parents no longer have to reduce their hours or quit their jobs. However, moving away from the idea that such care can only take place in highly regulated childcare centers will be necessary in order to foster a robust supply of diverse options. While widespread childcare closures could cause significant disruptions to work and economic output, there may also be new opportunities and ways of delivering early childhood education and childcare that could expand affordable, workable options for families. In order to support such a shift, policies must avoid giving preference to center-based care over family care. Among other reforms, policymakers should allow all childcare centers to re-open, eliminate unnecessary regulations, provide choices for parents if public childcare programs exist, and reduce barriers to informal childcare arrangements, including parent co-ops.