, was recently introduced by Representative Rosa DeLauro and Senator Patty Murray. It would provide grant funding for child care providers to stabilize the industry so they can safely reopen and operate. The money can be used for necessary modifications due to COVID-19, personnel pay, and fixed costs like rents.
The situation in the U.S. differs markedly from other countries, where child care and/or early childhood education is viewed as a public responsibility with national child care provided. For example, almost 100 percent of French 3- to 5-year-olds are enrolled in the full-day, free care—staffed by teachers paid good wages by one national ministry.
While the U.S. is a long way from a full-blown national solution, we should be making concrete plans for one where most if not all children in the country can be served. Except for a few children’s advocacy groups, there is no organized lobby for a national child care system.