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Policy and Research

Measuring America's Child Care Gap

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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

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Economics & Child Care: Where Are We Now and Where Do We Go? (2025)

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States Investing in Child Care through Trusts and Endowments (2025)

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TANF and Child Care Expenditure Accountability (2025)

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Early Learning Facilities Policy Framework Update (2025)

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Rethinking Child Care Standards and Regulations (2025)

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Four Evidence-Based Reasons Why Increasing Child Care Ratios Would be Dangerous and Counterproductive (2025)

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Position Statement on Farm Bill Reauthorization (2025)

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Supporting Child Care Workers as Parents: How the Kentucky Subsidy Income Exclusion for Child Care Employees Helps Increase Access to Child Care (2024)

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National Child Care Gap Assessment: Kentucky Analysis (2025)

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National Child Care Gap Assessment: Nebraska Analysis (2025)

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The Opportunity Zones and the National Child Care Gap (2025)

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Improving Child Care Worker Retention through Tax Reform by Including Early Childhood Educators in the Educator Expense Deduction (2025)

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Centering Families in the US Tax Code (2025)

A graphic with a blue background that says Buffett Early Childhood Institute Policy Framework

Policy Framework

Other Research

Transforming Early Childhood Systems in Nebraska

Transforming Early Childhood Systems in Nebraska

Workforce Well-Being

Workforce Well-Being

Early Childhood Financing

Early Childhood Financing

News and Events 

Sep 18, 2025
Over 1,000 Nebraska providers elevate early childhood education
Nebraska Examiner
Sep 15, 2025
Two mothers and Trump’s Head Start rule: Child care shortages meet anti-immigrant politics
Chalkbeat
Sep 15, 2025
4.2 Million Children Potentially Need Care, Stuck Without Formal Child Care Spot
Bipartisan Policy Center
Oct 17 2025
UNK-Community Early Childhood Conference Oct 17 - Oct 18 University of Nebraska at Kearney
View all News and Events

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