Early care and education (ECE) is finally receiving the attention it has long deserved as a major public discourse topic. It is now widely recognized as a bipartisan issue, with both sides agreeing on its societal value—even if they differ on strategies. One thing is certain: investments in ECE consistently deliver substantial returns, with studies showing benefits between $4 and $9 for every $1 spent. That said, our current system is not working. Ongoing innovation and modernization will be critical for the sustainability of a well-funded, well-functioning ECE system.
Here’s an overview of the latest developments in ECE legislation and policy:
Connecticut Builds Toward Universal Preschool
Connecticut is making bold moves toward universal preschool under Governor Ned Lamont’s proposal for a "Universal Preschool Endowment," funded by $300 million from the state’s budget surplus. Key objectives include:
● Free preschool for families earning up to $100,000 annually.
● Capping daily costs at $20 for incomes between $100,000 and $150,000.
● Adding 20,000 new preschool slots by 2032.
● Reducing costs for 19,000 existing slots.
This proposal positions Connecticut as a potential leader in early childhood education accessibility. It is the result of nearly a year of hearings led by the state’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Child Care, and developed based on feedback from families, providers, and businesses throughout the state. Yale researchers have estimated an average impact of $11,700 in total in-pocket outcome for families when their children get a free pre-K spot. The proposal, represented in House Bill 6867, was referred to the Committee on Appropriations on April 1.
Kansas Centralizes Early Childhood Services
Governor Laura Kelly has been collaborating with bipartisan leaders in Kansas to streamline the state’s early childhood programs, after a similar proposal failed to advance through the Senate last year. The proposed legislation, HB2294, includes consolidating almost 20 existing programs under a new Office of Early Childhood. Provisions seek to:
● Simplify licensing and regulations.
● Remove child care licensing fees for providers.
● Establish defined career progression paths for early educators.
If the bill succeeds, Kansas could serve as a model for improving efficiency and accountability in this space where administration is too often siloed across disparate agencies. HB2294 was passed by the House 103-15 and introduced in the Senate on March 24. It has been referred to the Committee on Public Health and Welfare.
Alaska Outlines Recommendations for Reform
Alaska’s Child Care Task Force released a comprehensive 56-point report addressing care shortages and costs. Some recommendations include:
● Upgrading digital infrastructure for licensing and data systems.
● Adjusting subsidy eligibility based on geographic cost-of-living differences.
● Implementing Tri-Share cost-sharing models in rural areas.
The state has already begun acting on several proposals, signaling potential improvements soon.
States Exploring Family Child Care Integration into Pre-K Systems
Through the EPIC FCC program, four states (Alabama, Michigan, Nevada, and North Carolina) are exploring ways to better incorporate family child care providers into state pre-K systems. This initiative promotes mixed delivery systems, expanding family choice and access to quality education options.
Other Key State Legislative Updates
Early care and education has been an early priority in the 2025 legislative session. These are just a few of the many updates from around the country:
● Pennsylvania: Governor Josh Shapiro's budget proposal allocates $55 million for recruitment and retention bonuses through the Child Care Works Program, $15 million to increase wages for Pre-K educators, and $24.6 million to support Early Intervention programs.
● Georgia: Passed a $250 nonrefundable tax credit for children under the age of seven. The bill also incentivized businesses to offer child care for their employees.
● Indiana: The governor’s budget proposal earmarked $362 million to eliminate waitlists for their CCDF and On My Way Pre-K voucher programs. The budget also includes a 2% annual increase in K-12 funding.
● Oregon: Legislation aims to align child care subsidies with modern cost-of-living increases, a move expected to benefit many families. HB 1350 and SB 5500 have been referred to committee.
● South Carolina: Introduced a bipartisan bill increasing employer tax credits for child care support and proposing new income tax credits for child care workers to address workforce retention challenges. SB 47 has been referred to the Committee on Finance.
Future of the Child Tax Credit
The expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC) proved critical to millions of families but is set to expire unless extended. Proposed legislation, such as the bipartisan, bicameral Child Care Availability and Affordability Act, aims to increase maximum credit amounts and make the credit refundable. The Act also strengthens Dependent Care Assistance Plans and the Employer-Provided Child Care Tax Credit.
Looking Ahead
The future of child care legislation and policy is one of constant evolution. Systems are being modernized, groundbreaking funding models are gaining traction, and innovative changes are being proposed to support families and educators alike. Policymakers are increasingly recognizing the societal and economic value of strong, equitable, and accessible early childhood systems. With new proposals on the table, states and communities have an opportunity to build a more resilient child care landscape for generations to come.
About the Author:
Jamee Herbert is the CEO and co-founder of BridgeCare, the nation’s leading data and technology solutions provider for early care and education (ECE). BridgeCare partners with state agencies, municipal governments, and non-profit organizations to make high-quality, affordable early care and education accessible to all. Jamee’s leadership spans over a
decade of experience in global advocacy for women and children, social enterprise, and systems thinking. Since its founding in 2016, BridgeCare has grown to serve over 50,000 providers, 500,000 families, and 500 counties nationwide, including multiple state-level implementations. The company’s contributions to the innovation and modernization of early care and education systems have been featured in The Washington Post and Yahoo News, among others. To learn more about the work Jamee is doing today, connect with her on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/jameeherbert, or visit BridgeCare’s website at getbridgecare.com
