Policy and Research

Measuring America's Child Care Gap

A purple map of the United States with county borders

NEW TOOL: This interactive map reveals the most complete child care supply data ever collected—using new methodology to quantify the nation's child care gap and expose where access falls short for families.

Explore the Map

Fact Sheet: Economic Impact

Fact Sheet: Head Start

Featured Policy Reports

Lessons Learned from Tri-Share (2025)

Economics & Child Care (2025)

Child Care Trusts and Endowments (2025)

TANF and Child Care Expenditure (2025)

Rethinking Standards and Regulations (2025)

Early Learning Facilities Policy Update (2025)

The Danger of Increasing Care Ratios (2025)

Farm Bill Position Statement (2025)

The Kentucky Subsidy (2024)

Kentucky Child Care Gap Assessment (2025)

Nebraska Child Care Gap Assessment (2025)

Opportunity Zones and Child Care (2025)

Early Educators and Tax Deductions (2025)

Nebraska Market Rate Survey (2025)

Nebraska Early Childhood Funding Map (2023)

Nebraska's Investments in Early Care (2023)

Nebraska Early Childhood Commission

News and Events

Jan 16, 2026

Why Tri-Share Matters: What We Can Learn from a Shared-Responsibility Model for Child Care

By Linda Smith

Jan 14, 2026

Tarrant child care programs’ funding unaffected after federal rules raised concern

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Jan 12, 2026

Community college student parents need child care. Here’s how colleges can help

EdNC

Feb 05 2026

CAYL Institute webinar 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Online

Mar 03 2026

2026 Superintendents' Early Childhood Plan Convening 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM Omaha, Neb.

Apr 28 2026

2026 Early Childhood Research Summit All Day Lincoln, Neb.

View all News and Events