Rapid, Responsive, Relevant Research for Childcare: The Ecology of COVID-19

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Abstract

Some circumstances fundamentally alter the ecologically nested systems influencing children’s development and their caregivers’ life trajectory (Bronfenbrenner & Morris, 2007). The COVID-19 pandemic is one such circumstance, and the systems of early care and education serving children and families were immediately and negatively impacted. Considering the importance of warm, responsive, supportive caregivers and care settings, it has been essential to understand how the disruptions to this system are impacting childcare providers and their businesses. It became apparent that the tools of research, implemented in a highly collaborative and responsive fashion, could serve to: 1) build trust with stakeholders, 2) increase public awareness, 3) document business losses to the state economy, 4) inform policy shifts, and 5) mobilize state and local action to support childcare providers and businesses.
In this symposium, we examine the rapid research efforts of three states, and how tools of research were employed to provide rapid, relevant, and responsive (R3) feedback to state childcare systems (Wiley et al., 2013), resulting in impactful change in policy and some unexpected consequences. Each state examined the experiences of providers, their businesses, and the outlook for the future of regulated childcare. Each study will provide elements of the state context, needs and outlook for childcare workforce and businesses, and ongoing policy and action growing out of the findings. Continuous improvement for survey implementation and utilization of findings will also be discussed. Finally, state R3 projects will be framed in a national context, with a view on national policy and mobilization efforts.

Sub Unit

• Social Policy

Chair

• Kathleen Cranley Gallagher, University of Nebraska

Discussant

• Lauren Hogan, National Association for the Education of Young Children

Individual Presentations

• The Impact of COVID-19 on Louisiana Child Care Systems - Presenting Author: Libbie Sonnier, Louisiana Policy Institute for Children

• Policy Implications of COVID-19 for Maryland Child Care Systems - Presenting Author: Steve Rohde, Maryland Family Network

• Shifting Child Care Policy through Rapid Research Methods: COVID-19’s Impact in Nebraska - Presenting Author: Kathleen Cranley Gallagher, University of Nebraska; Non-Presenting Author: Alexandra M. Daro, Buffett Early Childhood Institute