For years, early childhood education programs have often been overlooked by federal and state agencies, a misconception that overlooks their vital role in supporting working families and fostering long-term educational success. However, a growing trend is emerging: states and localities are increasingly recognizing the importance of high-quality child care and are investing their own resources to fill the gap left by dwindling federal support. Montgomery County, Maryland, is leading the way with a new $10 million initiative, and its efforts could inspire other jurisdictions to follow suit.
Montgomery County Leads the Charge
Jennifer Nicholls, owner and lead teacher at Journey Preschool, a home-based early childhood education program, highlights a common challenge: “Often we’re called providers, or babysitters, but we’re educators too.” Her experience exemplifies the often-unrecognized importance of early childhood educators.
Montgomery County’s new investment, unveiled in late September, includes two key initiatives:
- Expanded Head Start: $6.1 million will bolster Head Start programs, critical given the current flat federal funding and potential disruptions from the government shutdown. Nicholls applied for this funding, recognizing its potential to support community resources and even benefit all 12 children in her program, even if only one secures an Early Head Start spot.
- ECE Facility Loan Program: The remaining $4 million establishes a loan program to help existing child care facilities expand their capacity or improve their quality. This initiative is in partnership with the Reinvestment Fund, a Philadelphia-based community development financial institution. Nicholls plans to use this funding to update her outdoor playground.
The Data Behind the Investment
The push for increased investment in Montgomery County stemmed from several studies examining the cost and quality of care, workforce compensation, and shared services for child care providers. A stark statistic revealed that programs only had enough infant and toddler seats to serve just 19% of the under-2-years-old population, compared to 83% for children between 2 and 5.
“When I showed the 19-percent data point, that was an eye-opening moment,” says Jennifer Arnaiz, senior administrator for early childhood services at Montgomery County. “It was a no-brainer to put some money into Early Head Start.”
Arnaiz points out the historical focus on pre-K programs, which are less expensive to expand due to serving older children with lower staff-to-child ratios. Investing in early childhood programs requires more personnel, as regulations often dictate a much lower ratio of staff to infants and toddlers.
Maryland’s Long-Term Vision
Montgomery County’s efforts are part of a broader, years-long commitment by Maryland to prioritize early childhood education. The state’s blueprint to increase educational investments over 10 years, launched in 2021, comprises five pillars, with early childhood being one.
“Maryland has a history of being strong in this space,” says Christy Tirrell-Corbin, executive director of the Center for Early Childhood Education and Intervention at the University of Maryland. “Maybe we’re not getting The New York Times stories that New Mexico or Vermont are getting, but we have prioritized high-quality early care and education for a long time.”
A National Trend in the Absence of Federal Support
The shift towards state and local investment reflects a broader trend driven by the absence of robust federal support. While the Build Back Better bill, which would have overhauling early childhood education, failed to pass, and federal funding for programs like Head Start has remained flat, states are stepping in to address the critical need for affordable, high-quality child care.
Lynn Karoly, a senior economist at the RAND Corporation, explains that, “The federal government is either holding steady or pulling back [in social programs] and as a result we’ve seen states and localities say, ‘This puts the onus on us to build.’”
Several states have already taken steps to expand access to early childhood education:
- Oklahoma: Invested in universal pre-K through a school finance formula funded by the state nearly 40 years ago.
- Georgia: Uses a tax on its lottery system for its pre-K program.
- California: Imposed a tax on tobacco in 1988 (although revenues have declined) and now levies a tax on cannabis.
The Domino Effect?
It remains to be seen whether Montgomery County’s initiative—or any state’s efforts—will spark a widespread adoption of similar programs across the country. Karoly notes that efforts are often cyclical, tied to economic conditions. However, even small investments can generate momentum.
“We don’t know where the economy is going, so it’s hard to have the crystal ball to say ‘We are going to see expansion with investment,’” Karoly says. “Some communities are maintaining their commitment and holding on or, to the extent there is a pullback, they’ll focus on those hoping they’ll benefit the most.”
Melnick of the Learning Policy Institute believes the increased focus on early childhood education offers a valuable source of inspiration. “The circumstances [for each state] are unique but it’s exciting to see an entire state rally around child care,” she says. “The practicalities are going to be different, but you can look at the campaign, the messaging, and that inspiration.”
Ultimately, investing in early childhood education is a generational investment that supports both children and working parents, fostering a stronger economy and a more equitable future.
The surge in state-led initiatives underscores the growing recognition that high-quality child care is not just a social program but a critical component of a thriving society. As federal support remains uncertain, states are taking the lead in building
