On January 2, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families announced a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register. The NPRM proposes to remove or modify some of the mandatory provisions included in the 2024 CCDF Final rule changes. Comments are due 30 days from publication on February 4, 2026.

Despite 2025 being an ‘off’ year election child care was very much ‘on’ the ballot.

December is a time for reflection, hope, and yes—wish list making. As we look toward the new year, the child care field has some big wishes. These aren't asks for toys or gadgets, but for the foundational supports that children, families, and providers desperately need. 

Every November, Family Engagement Month is an opportunity to highlight the vital role families play in children’s learning, development, and well-being. For Community Child Care Solutions (CCCS), a Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency serving New Jersey, family engagement isn’t just a themed month, it’s a daily commitment. 

Each November, Military Family Appreciation Month reminds us of the extraordinary commitment military families make and the support they need to thrive. At Child Care Aware® of America, we work to ensure every family has access to the child care resources and community connections that make stability possible, especially during the unique challenges of military life. By elevating stories like the one we’re sharing today, we highlight the real impact of a strong, coordinated national network of state and community organizations working together to help families find quality care, stay mission-ready, and feel supported every step of the way. 

A year after federal relief funding for child care ended, many states are confronting the troubling—yet familiar—signs of instability in their child care systems. The infusion of federal aid, paired with smart state policy, had helped programs reopen or stay open, and had even grown the supply of care in some states during and following the pandemic. Between 2023 and 2024, Child Care Aware of America found that the number of licensed centers grew by 1.6% and family child care homes by 4.8%. But with relief funds gone, flat funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant in FY 2025, and flat or modestly increased federal funding for FY 2026, many states are grappling with what to do next.