Every year, 600,000 military-connected families and children move around the country. The average military family moves three times as often as their civilian peers, and the majority of these “permanent change of station” (PCS) moves take place during the summer. Finding access to quality, affordable child care is an essential component of a smooth transition.  

StoryCorps, a national nonprofit whose mission is to record, preserve and share the stories of Americans from all backgrounds, and Child Care Aware^® of America (CCAoA) recently partnered on a project to interview child care providers. The providers were asked about their personal journey in the child care field and the impact of COVID-19 on their work and life. 

In response to an evolving organizational structure and to changes in the child care field, Child Care Answers will launch a campaign in late August announcing its amicable split from Early Learning Indiana. As a part of this split, Child Care Answers undertook a rebranding initiative. Executive Director Mollie Smith explains how they went about it and what they learned from the process.

StoryCorps, a national nonprofit whose mission is to record, preserve and share the stories of Americans from all backgrounds, and Child Care Aware^® of America (CCAoA) recently partnered on a project to interview child care providers. The providers were asked about their personal journey in the child care field and the impact of COVID-19 on their work and life. 

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the child care system in the United States was already fragile and underfunded. The U.S. spends less than 0.5% of GDP on child care, which is far lower than the majority of developed countries.

In addition, children of color and children from low-income families are less likely to be enrolled in high-quality child care programs. Child care staff are undervalued and underpaid, and female caregivers, especially women of color, bear the brunt of formal and informal care.

Despite the fact that Fisher-Price issued a recall on April 12 of all 4.7 million Rock ‘n Play sleepers, there have been anecdotal reports that some of the sleepers are still in child care centers. The recall followed a safety warning from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Fisher-Price that said that 10 babies had died using the product. Just days after that warning, Consumer Reports connected the product to more than 30 infant deaths since 2009.