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.
'I have absolutely no retirement': How child care workers are being impacted by rising prices
Educators in the child care sector have seen their wages jump about 60% in the last 15 years. But with a median wage at just $14 an hour, they’re still...
Why Iowa's governor boosted child care access without the support of lawmakers
Iowa’s Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds says one of her key priorities is to make child care more accessible for families.
Students work to fill gaps in child brain development research
The functional near-infrared spectroscopy cap, or fNIRS cap, is used to study the brain activity of children. But it has limits.
Broad bipartisan support exists for child care investment. So why is it still so expensive?
Child care costs continue to climb for families with young children. If you have two kids, the bill can rival your mortgage or rent each month.
How indoor air quality impacts babies and toddlers
New research highlights indoor air quality can have a powerful impact on the health and development of babies and young children.
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Ms. Rachel says she’ll keep advocating for children in Gaza, even if it means risking her career
Ms. Rachel, whose full name is Rachel Accurso, made headlines in recent weeks for speaking out on her social media platforms about children living inside Gaza. Her comments have sparked...
Why one family that relies on Medicaid has faith in President Trump
Families of infants and toddlers from around the country are in Washington, D.C. this week to tell lawmakers to protect Medicaid.
How much milk do babies drink while breastfeeding?
Researchers have come up with a device to take the guesswork out of a common breastfeeding challenge: figuring out how much your baby is actually drinking in real time.
Utah child care provider says the free market can’t fix everything
More than 1,000 child care providers around the country are closed on Monday to fight for better wages for workers and lower costs for families.
Federal survey of new moms is on pause. What does that mean for postpartum health?
At the same time President Trump wants to encourage Americans to have more babies and reverse declining birth rates, his administration has also stopped collecting key data to better understand...
How baby gear like car seats and strollers may be impacted by tariffs
Manufacturers who make essential safety products for infants and young children, like car seats and cribs, are asking President Trump for an exemption from tariffs on Chinese imports.
From curry to salmon: How introducing solid foods early benefits babies
Parents in the U.S. are shifting their mindset from making separate foods for little ones to figuring out how to safely include babies as young as six months old in...
What to know about the future of special education without the Education Department
A special education leader under George W. Bush says the dismantling of the Department of Education will impact students with disabilities.
A rural Texas mom relies on Medicaid to help her toddler. What happens if the program is cut?
NPR reports the budget plan from House Republicans would likely require cuts to Medicaid or Medicare. That has some families worried about the future of their children’s therapy.
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,...
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.
Could the technology industry help solve child care problems?
A tech company in San Diego wants to help working parents with childcare.
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...
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.
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.