A growing body of evidence shows that investments in high-quality, affordable, and accessible childcare and learning are a key element of a healthy, growing U.S. economy. Research tells us that the ages zero to three are a critically important time for developing the wide range of skills necessary for future success. Equitable Growth is growing the evidence base for the demand side of the early education equation—what do families need and want for their children and themselves and what are the obstacles to access across the economic distribution—and the supply side of the equation—what does quality childcare look like, and how do we expand access to quality early care and learning jobs in a way that creates meaningful economic security for care workers?
Featured work
Child care prices, inflation, and the end of federal pandemic-era aid in five charts
May 8, 2023
May 8, 2023
What is social infrastructure, and how does it support economic growth in the United States?
January 26, 2023
January 26, 2023
Factsheet: What the research says about the economics of the 2021 enhanced Child Tax Credit
November 29, 2022
November 29, 2022
Advancing research and evidence on child care and U.S. economic growth
November 10, 2022
November 10, 2022
Factsheet: What the research says about the economics of early care and education
September 15, 2021
September 15, 2021
Explore Content in Childcare & Early Education207
Policymakers can still use American Rescue Plan funds to bolster the U.S. child care system and ensure it has a strong future
September 20, 2022
September 20, 2022
The Effects of the Child Tax Credit on the Economic Wellbeing of Families with Low Incomes
August 29, 2022
August 29, 2022
The Care Work System as a Fundamental Cause of Economic Inequalities
August 29, 2022
August 29, 2022
Policymakers tackling inflation can’t overlook the impact of higher interest rates on the U.S. child care market
August 11, 2022
August 11, 2022
Developing a research agenda on racial and gender equity in the pandemic-era U.S. labor market
May 24, 2022
May 24, 2022
Child care costs are going to rise, but policymakers can help U.S. families manage these increases
May 18, 2022
May 18, 2022
February Jobs Day report: U.S. employment growth is still strong, but some care sector workers are being left behind
March 4, 2022
March 4, 2022
House Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth
December 8, 2021
December 8, 2021
Equitable Growth joins NewDEAL Leaders to discuss child care in the post-pandemic U.S. economy
December 7, 2021
December 7, 2021
The economic evidence behind 10 policies in the Build Back Better Act
November 24, 2021
November 24, 2021
Equitable Growth scholars highlight the need for broad investment in U.S. social infrastructure
October 20, 2021
October 20, 2021
Equitable Growth welcomes two new Dissertation Scholars for 2021–22 academic year
September 22, 2021
September 22, 2021
Explore the Equitable Growth network of experts around the country and get answers to today's most pressing questions!