Nearly 11 million American children under 5 spend part of their day in a child care setting, yet only a small fraction are in early learning programs that meet high standards. Families face a huge challenge in finding programs that fit the demands of work schedules while also providing good, affordable learning centers for their kids. Overcoming this challenge is a key lever for promoting social mobility and preparing children for the future.
 
In an event on February 23, 2012, the New America Foundation learned from local leaders who are highly aware of the need for new approaches. Calling in from around the country, these leaders shared their stories, successes and challenges. A recap of the event can be found in this post on the Early Ed Watch blog.