Speaking Up: What the Presidential Candidates Should be Saying About Child Care and Early Learning
Channel: New America
Date: 28/09/2012

Speaking Up: What the Presidential Candidates Should be Saying About Child Care and Early Learning

American families struggle to find quality, affordable child care and preschool close to home. More and more parents and educators are realizing that children have a better chance of success in school and life if they are enrolled in effective programs in their earliest years.

Given that this issue affects so many Americans, why have candidates so rarely mentioned it on the 2012 campaign trail? What should Obama and Romney be saying about child care and early learning policies? Are there important, yet unmentioned, links between programs for children and greater job prospects for their parents? What agenda should the president and new Congress develop next year to make the greatest difference to America's future?

Participants

Featured Speakers
Helen Blank
Director, Leadership and Public Policy, National Women's Law Center

Robert H.  Dugger
Chairman of the ReadyNation Advisory Board and Invest in Kids Working Group

Grace Reef
Chief of Policy and Evaluation, Child Care Aware® of America (formerly NACCRRA)

Lisa Guernsey
Director, Early Education Initiative, New America Foundation

Moderator
David Gray
Director, Workforce and Family Program, New America Foundation

http://newamerica.net/events/2012/speaking_up_child_care_and_early_learning