First Five Years Fund: An Opportunity to Prioritize Urgent Child Care Needs in 2025

A message from Executive Director Sarah Rittling:

Child care in the United States remains unaffordable, inaccessible, and in short supply. As we look to the new Congress and Administration, First Five Years Fund remains focused on the need for federal priorities that address these challenges for children, their families, employers, and providers.  

America’s working families and employers have been very clear that access to affordable, quality child care is essential for economic stability and a reliable workforce. This need is felt deeply in communities in every state, underscoring why candidates across the political spectrum elevated child care as a critical issue in debates, town halls, and campaign ads. It’s also why Members of Congress — Republicans and Democrats — have introduced a series of bills aimed at reducing costs, expanding access, and addressing workforce challenges in the child care sector.

Now it’s time to turn this momentum into action. Families can’t push pause on their child care needs; the challenges they face are urgent and immediate. As we move into 2025, we urge Congress and the Administration to recognize the vital needs of America’s children, families, employers, and child care providers by prioritizing child care and early learning.