State Policies and Community Characteristics: Key Factors in Infant and Toddler Enrollment Patterns

• In Event: Early Childhood Policy across States

Abstract

The first three years of life are the most consequential for children’s development. Yet, access to early care and education for infants/toddlers is inadequate. We identify connections between community characteristics, state-level policies, and infant/toddler enrollment patterns using nationally representative data. Results suggest the importance of state child care subsidy policies that stabilize and increase revenue for providers (e.g., subsidy contracts and differential reimbursement rates for infants/toddlers). Our findings also show associations between community characteristics (e.g., urbanicity, poverty level) and infant/toddler enrollment patterns. Together, our findings suggest a need to target resources, supports, and policies to communities based on needs of programs and their surrounding communities in order to equitably expand access for infants/toddlers.

Authors

• Gerilyn Slicker, University of Nevada - Las Vegas

• Alison Hooper, University of Alabama

• Joon-Ho Lee, University of Alabama

• Amanda Zapata, University of Nevada - Las Vegas

• Chelsie Shurtleff, University of Nevada - Las Vegas

• Leticia Delgado, University of Nevada - Las Vegas