Covering Early Childhood

Here & Now's coverage of early childhood, from education to child care. Have an idea for a story or voice we should consider? Reach out to senior producer Ashley Locke at abbailey@bu.edu.

Jessica Paselli's child care business is a colorful space with bright windows. On warm days, kids spend most of their time outside. (Ashley Locke/Here & Now)

Family child care is vital, but declining. Massachusetts is reversing the trend

Family child care caters to a small group of children based in a provider’s home. This type of care can often be more affordable, flexible and culturally competent for families,...

05:26Jun 24, 2024

Child care is impacting the costs families have to pay. (Lourdes Balduque/Getty Images)

Child care costs impact families even as inflation eases

Parents paying for childcare are finding that rising costs are taking an increasing portion of their income.

03:38Jun 17, 2024

Could the technology industry help solve child care problems?

A tech company in San Diego wants to help working parents with childcare.

03:49Jun 13, 2024

A program in a handful of states is monitoring the physical and mental health of new dads. (Courtesy of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago via the FCHIP Fathers Photobook)

No one asks how new dads are doing. A pilot program aims to help

For decades, federal surveys have tracked the health and habits of new mothers. But rarely do they ask about a partner's well-being. Now, a program in a handful of states...

10:03Jun 11, 2024

Hawaii State House Rep. Jeanne Kapela, with her daughter. (Courtesy of Jeanne Kapela)

How child care access changes who runs for office

More states are now OK’ing the use of campaign funds for child care — a move that could help more working-class people run for office.

11:01May 14, 2024

Nana, also known as Juju, enjoys a mild spring day on the playground at Children’s Friend Early Learning Center, a Seven Hills affiliate in Worcester, Massachusetts. (Ashley Locke/Here & Now)

How states are excelling in quality preschool and reducing inequality

A new report finds the inequality gap is getting worse between the children who have access to preschool and those who don’t.

10:51Apr 29, 2024

Preschool students play with cars. (Courtesy of Martha Heineman Pieper)

‘The Happiest Preschool’ teaches toddlers it’s OK to be sad or anxious

A psychotherapist is advocating for preschools to take a different approach to supporting young children to benefit their emotional well-being.

05:25Mar 21, 2024

Future of child care depends on early educators and parents using their voices

Child care advocates have been organizing for years to secure better care for young children.

09:00Mar 18, 2024

Students in Matthew Wallace's classroom paints with peers. (Ashley Locke/Here & Now)

Hugs don’t pay the rent: How one early educator is working to save his future

Matthew Wallace has worked as a preschool teacher for 18 years. As much as he loves his work, he says it’s tough to get by on his salary.

05:34Mar 1, 2024

Illinois' home-based child care workers want better benefits and wages

More than 15,000 home-based daycare providers participating in Illinois' low-income childcare assistance program are negotiating a contract with the state.

04:33Feb 9, 2024

Cynthia King reads to her son Dexter Muir at their home in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 2016. (Cory Lum/Civil Beat)

A ‘shockingly broken system’: More than a dozen states fail to meet child care safety regulations

Ten years ago, states were required to begin reporting how many children die, are injured or abused in child care. Some still aren’t. For parents who have lost children, it’s...

05:47Feb 8, 2024

People hold signs and listen to speakers during a rally for paid family leave in New York, Thursday, March 10, 2016. (Seth Wenig/AP)

Kyte Baby story is ‘not an anomaly’ in a country with no paid leave

The popular baby clothing brand has been facing backlash for not accommodating an employee’s request to work remotely while her newborn son was in intensive care.

05:48Jan 30, 2024

In a rush to help your baby meet milestones? Why it might be better to let them take the lead

According to a new study published by the American Psychological Association, when families rush to control their babies to learn something new, those efforts can backfire.

06:45Jan 29, 2024

Republican voters want support for child care. So where are GOP lawmakers on the issue?

Republicans are feeling less pressure to talk about how to support working families with child care, according to The 19th.

05:17Nov 28, 2023

Preschool child covers his face with his hands. (Getty Images)

Advocates call for mental health support for toddlers

Child care providers in Alabama say they are struggling to address an uptick in aggressive behavior in young children. The situation is putting a strain on teachers.

10:30Nov 10, 2023

Neighborhood villages and supporters from Temple Israel and north shore labor council. (Courtesy)

'The math is pretty simple': Advocates testify for child care assistance in Massachusetts

This comes as much of the pandemic-era aid that kept the industry afloat has ended.

03:37Oct 18, 2023

ECE On The Move co-founders Gladys Jones (left) and Doris Irizarry (right). (Courtesy)

A day care provider in the Bronx may close her doors as child care industry faces crossroads

Doris Irizarry has operated a residential-based family daycare in the Bronx for more than 25 years. She is among the child care providers thinking about closing their doors for good.

09:17Sep 28, 2023

Raena Boston and Dr. Pooja Lakshmin of the Chamber of Mothers. (Courtesy)

How the Chamber of Mothers supports women in their fight for paid leave

Working moms across the country are organizing to support each other — and fight for a social safety net they feel is lacking in this country.

10:59Sep 14, 2023

"Whole Mama Yoga" encourages mothers to lean on the practice throughout every stage of motherhood. (Courtesy of Allie Mullin Photography)

'Whole Mama Yoga' book encourages moms to lean on the practice throughout parenting

The duality of emotions that comes with every stage of motherhood can be tough. Sometimes, it helps to simply breathe in and out.

08:56Sep 11, 2023

Tarrezz Thompson and the child she watches. (Courtesy of Tarrezz Thompson)

Ohio child care providers press Intel to help families thrive

Many families in the area struggle to find reliable, affordable care for their kids.

09:37Aug 22, 2023