Given all of the findings cited above, it is not surprising that many states and communities are seeking new ways to invest in early learning and nurturing. The challenges are great. The question of where to secure financing is perhaps the most perplexing. Throughout this paper the term early care and education is used as an inclusive term to mean all types of education and care for all children from birth through age five, and programs for school-age children before and after school and during vacations. These services are known by many names, such as child care, preschool, Head Start, pre-kindergarten, and so forth, but they all share the essential element of providing care and education for young children.
Success hinges on creative thinking.
Some have suggested that we build on the public education system. Others have focused on Head Start, and stressed the importance of expanding this national program. A number of policy analysts believe that spurring private markets is the answer, and suggest that increased child care vouchers or cash payments to parents is the best approach. All of these approaches have merit. Many early care and education leaders have given careful thought to how existing financing mechanisms might be expanded or linked.