Brief: Understanding the ECE Landscape Fragmentation

Early care and education (ECE) exists across a fragmented landscape that spans federal, state, and local systems, creating a fractured process that lets families miss out on critical opportunities. 

The New Practice Lab examined what these missed opportunities look like up close in one state and collected data on the fractured system of programs and funding streams across all fifty states. This work illustrates the complexity that families face — and ultimately finds opportunity for improved information sharing, application processes, and equitable access.

As a result of this work, the research in this brief was ultimately cited in a federal proposal to update child care policies.