The aim of expanding childcare is to maximize our time away from young children, thus minimizing exactly what they need most. This aim is backward. Early childhood policy must be driven by what young children need from us, not the other way around. 

The push for universal childcare rests on three core claims — the foundation for an increasingly ambitious agenda to transform how young children are raised in America. Yet all three are false.

A growing coalition promotes universal childcare as “essential economic infrastructure,” critical to a strong workforce. But research shows that full-time group care harms some children — and it’s not what most families want.

CCFP launches a new initiative to help state leaders advance family-based ECE policy that empowers lower-income parents, strengthens the workforce, and helps young children thrive.

Georgia Mjartan explains how First 5 South Carolina’s innovative new technology streamlines access to early childhood services, cutting red tape and empowering parents to better support their children.

Following her testimony at the Senate Finance Committee’s hearing on “Examining the State of Child Care,” Katharine Stevens answered Senators’ questions on four key childcare policy topics.

Katharine Stevens joins the Economics of Flourishing series at the Archbridge Institute to discuss the role of education, parental stability, and skills development in fostering human flourishing.

Katharine joins the Tammy Peterson Podcast to discuss the vital role of family in early childhood development and the need for better policy to support parents and children.

Federal policy must target the lower-income families who need access to good childcare the most — aiming to empower parental choice, ensure better use of current federal funds, and promote a much-increased state role in funding childcare.

Federal policymakers should aim to: 1) Boost choice for low-income parents. 2) Shore up family childcare. 3) Break down bureaucratic silos to amplify impact of current funding. 4) Leverage a broader range of federal funds. 5) Promote state leadership in early care and education.

Ivana Greco explains why America needs a “GI Bill for Homemakers” to recognize and support parents who spend time on the “home front,” dedicating themselves to the crucial work of family and community.

Family researcher Jenet Erickson sheds new light on the role of work and childcare in child, maternal, and family well-being, and the care preferences of women with young children.

Dr. Dana Suskind explains the power of nurturing language environments in children's development, and the vital role parents play as architects of their children’s brains.

Katharine Stevens joins a panel at a Senate event to discuss a new, cross-partisan report proposing common-ground policy solutions for families with young children.

Katharine talks with Ivana Greco about her unusual path from Harvard-educated attorney to full-time "stay-at-home mom," caring for her toddler and homeschooling her two young sons. 

Dr. Phil Fisher joins the podcast to discuss his pioneering work on the effects of early stressful experiences on young children’s development.

Ross Thompson joins the podcast to discuss current knowledge in developmental science, and how brain science has been used to shape public policy in early childhood.

Dr. Katharine Stevens joins host Nic Dunn of the Sutherland Institute to help recenter true pro-family policy at the core of public debates and offer policymakers and voters a framework for a better approach.

Katharine Stevens is joined by Joe Waters, co-founder and CEO of Capita, to discuss Capita's origins and work to improve the lives of children and families.

Brad Wilcox, professor of sociology and director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia, discusses the decline in marriage among lower-income adults and explains its role in family strength and well-being.