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

Omaha Metro Child Care Gap (2026)

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

Mar 08, 2026

Buffett Institute study shows thousands of Omaha families lack access to child care

Omaha World-Herald

Mar 04, 2026

Staffing shortages drive childcare gap; new report finds Iowa side of metro has highest need

KMTV

Mar 04, 2026

Nebraska has a child care crisis. Looming cuts to Medicaid will worsen it.

Flatwater Free Press

Apr 28 2026

2026 Early Childhood Research Summit All Day Lincoln, Neb.

May 03 2026

Child Care Aware of America Symposium 2026 May 03 - May 06 Arlington, VA

Jun 16 2026

2026 Nebraska Young Child Institute Jun 16 - Jun 17 Kearney, Neb.

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