Without Action, America’s Early Learning & Care System Will Collapse

“The positive impact of the early learning and care proposal would be felt for generations. So too would the consequences of inaction.”

WASHINGTON — The following is a statement from First Five Years Fund (FFYF) Executive Director Sarah Rittling in support of the child care and pre-K provisions of the Build Back Better Act and the need for action to solve America’s early learning crisis: 

“Even if, as he says, Sen. Manchin is unwilling to vote for the Build Back Better Act in its current form, it is indisputable that there is both great need and overwhelming support for the child care and pre-K provisions — including from West Virginia’s senior senator. 

“Without action, the nation’s supply of child care and preschool will be further depleted, as more and more educators leave the sector for higher pay and benefits, leaving parents with even fewer choices. Prices for families will continue to skyrocket. Children will miss out on the chance at starting kindergarten ready to learn. And our economic recovery will stall while countless parents remain unable to enter or return to the labor force. Parents, providers, and employers are desperate for the reliable, affordable, quality child care and preschool options this bill will deliver. The positive impact of the early learning and care proposal would be felt for generations. So too would the consequences of inaction. Congress must move forward on solving America’s decades-long child care crisis — before it’s too late.”

The First Five Years Fund is the leading bipartisan federal advocacy organization working to ensure all children from birth through age five have equal access to affordable, comprehensive, high-quality care and education to support their healthy development and help them achieve their full potential in school and life. FFYF seeks to expand federal support for all early learning and care opportunities that are high-quality and focused first on serving those children most-at-risk. http://www.ffyf.org

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