Just listened to @ncecf webinar on the org's recent research on parents' #childcare experiences during the pandemic, and the impact of inadequate child care on the state's families and businesses ($2.4 billion annually pre-pandemic). #ece #earlychildhood

Households of color & those living in rural areas have been disproportionately impacted by inadequate child care during pandemic, said Sherika Hill, research & policy liaison w @FPGInstitute. Report found that by mid-pandemic, only 15% of rural families were accessing formal ECE.

Clive Belfield, the report's author, described the "double bind" the pandemic has put families of color in, who are less likely to have access to quality #childcare & employer supports yet are less likely to be able to telework. Solution will require support from business & govt.

Belfield says pandemic is making accessible, affordable #childcare into "a disappearing act." Says investment in #ece system necessary for economic recovery during recession that is hitting young working families the hardest & clamping down on skill-building while unemployed.

. @DrSLSHong w/ @FPGInstitute says it's clear the current #ece model that relies on parents' pockets is unsustainable. She lifts up 3 buckets for change in NC: state/federal funding, family-friendly workplace policies from businesses & public policy, & public/private partnerships.

. @DrSLSHong points to NC PreK & #childcare subsidy as places for more #ece investment. Says preK expansion for 4yos should be thoughtful so it doesn't lead to infant/toddler care shortages & that an infant/toddler program similar to NC PreK is emerging opportunity at state level.

. @DrSLSHong also speaks to need for equitable subsidy reimbursement rates across NC & transition funding for families when they are no longer eligible to receive #childcare subsidy assistance.

Sherika Hill highlighted need for more relief to #childcare providers, increased compensation for early educator workforce, who are "among the working poor," and support for alternative child care arrangements that support nontraditional work schedules & all families' needs.

"If we really aren't serious about attacking & addressing some of these systems issues of access, inequality, & equity, then these disparities will continue," said Hill. "It's just unfortunately that it will happen earlier in the life course if we don't take the time to...

..address what's really causing gaps for the people who need it most by supporting families w polices that really seek to benefit everyone equitably & I'm just not sure if we even have that in K-12 right now. I think that this idea of publicly funded is good, but how we do that..

..requires a little bit more scrutiny, not just for the early child care & education years, but even K-12, to be honest.." Hill points to K-12 segregation. Research has shown center & home-based #earlychildhood environments are even more segregated ( https://www.k12dive.com/news/study-early-childhood-programs-more-segregated-than-k-12/563945/)