There is multi-sector shared responsibility to ensure that local communities have access to high quality child care and early learning programs in appropriate spaces. The public sector plays an essential role in ensuring that local communities and providers have the necessary funding and resources to expand access to quality care.
LISC’s major policy priorities for child care and early learning include:
- Dedicated Public Sector Funding
There is currently no dedicated federal funding for the acquisition, construction, and renovation of early child care facilities, and very few states and localities have established dedicated funding streams. As a result, most providers are unable to access financial support necessary to address infrastructure challenges. - Facilitating Co-Location of Child Care Facilities with Affordable Housing
The facilities challenges facing child care and early learning providers require creative cross-sector solutions. The development of affordable housing in high-need communities can be leveraged to increase access to quality care for children and families, and meet some of the facilities needs of child care operators. - Technical Assistance and Capacity Building for Providers
Child care business operators deserve equitable access to small business supports tailored to meet their sector needs. LISC supports the establishment of dedicated resources to provide child care operators with small business training, technical assistance, and capacity building. Intermediaries receive funding from banks and in turn use set-aside dollars to provide financial products and business technical assistance to child care providers. - Comprehensive Assessment of Facilities’ Needs
There is no comprehensive national data collection related to documenting the condition, quality or availability of child care facilities, leaving providers few opportunities to report on their infrastructure needs. - Community Development Finance Alignment
There are currently no financial tools available to support child care providers, but CDFIs and other intermediaries have access to the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) to help support child care facilities financing and business capacity building. - Increased Public Sector Operating Support for Providers
The early childhood education child care sector is massively underfunded, resulting in care that is high cost, too few providers of high-quality programs, and a workforce of teachers and other employees that are significantly under resourced and underpaid.
For additional information about LISC’s Federal Policy Priorities, visit:
- LISC’s education policy priorities
- LISC’s priorities on child care and early learning facilities financing
- LISC’s suggestions to improve federal programs and testimony to inform pending legislation
Join National Children's Facilities Network, a coalition of financial and technical assistance intermediaries elevating the importance of high-quality early care and education facilities