Most families with young children in the U.S. need reliable, high-quality early care and education (ECE) programs that help adults support their families while supporting children’s development. Yet the fragmented nature of public investments in ECE has led to a complex system that is difficult for families to navigate. We describe how families struggle to access publicly funded ECE programs because they face challenges in finding information about options and in surmounting administrative barriers to enrollment. We highlight how these problems are exacerbated by the lack of coordination across publicly funded programs and present promising approaches that states and localities have taken to support families and reduce fragmentation within the ECE system. We conclude by discussing implications for policymakers and researchers who seek to build ECE systems that streamline services in service of families.
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