This brief presents DC early childhood leaders’ perspectives about access to infant and toddler early care and education (ECE). It covers issues of affordability, accessibility, and meeting families’ needs. 

Why This Matters

Across the US, infant and toddler ECE remains unaffordable and insufficient to meet the needs of families. In response, policymakers are seeking evidence about policies and practices designed to support children under age 3 and their caregivers. Washington, DC, has invested in a range of innovative ECE policies aimed at expanding access for families with young children. Understanding leaders’ perspectives about whether and how these policies are improving access can provide valuable insights for policymakers and researchers assessing these initiatives.

What We Found

Early childhood leaders in DC highlighted several key themes about infant and toddler ECE:

• Affordability is uneven. ECE is affordable for families receiving child care subsidies but remains prohibitively expensive for many who do not qualify.
• Quality is generally strong, with room to grow. ECE programs support children’s development overall, but additional professional development and investment can improve care, especially for infants and toddlers with disabilities and other identified needs.
• Availability is inconsistent. Views are mixed on whether infant and toddler ECE is available and accessible, reflecting gaps in the supply of slots when and where they are most needed.
• Further evidence is needed. The perspectives of families and providers could improve understanding of how DC's ECE innovations are affecting access.

How We Did It 

We conducted interviews with 24 leaders in DC consisting of policymakers, policy implementors and administrators, community leaders, and others with a vested interest in infant and toddler ECE. We coded responses to assess perspectives about infant and toddler ECE in terms of affordability, ability to support child development, ability to meet parents’ needs, and ability to obtain it with reasonable effort, ultimately identifying key themes that emerged from the data.