Addressing the Impact of COVID-19 on the Early Care and Education Sector

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated challenges in the early care and education (ECE) sector, including preexisting structural flaws, insufficient funding mechanisms, sector fragmentation, inadequate support for the workforce, and inequalities, such as the lack of access to high-quality care among low-income, rural populations, and communities of color. Addressing the impacts of the pandemic and the resulting economic recession on the ECE sector will require that state, local, and tribal decision makers use available COVID-19 relief funds to mitigate those impacts while also laying the foundation for longer-term solutions. This rapid expert consultation identifies mitigation strategies that could be implemented to achieve these goals. These strategies include (1) Reduce the rate of closures, (2) Assist the ECE workforce, (3) Modify subsidy reimbursement and payment policies, (4) Improve coordination of the ECE sector and funding systems, and (5) Integrate data systems across provider and funding types.