Welcome to the SIXTH ISSUE of Research Briefs in Early Childhood! This newsletter brings you easy-to-read summaries linked to recent news and research focusing on early childhood education and development as part of the Nevada Statewide Comprehensive B-5 Needs Assessment process. In each issue, these monthly newsletters feature topics that inform early childhood system considerations, share Nevada and National News, and more. This newsletter was created with the help of PubTrawlr, which used generative artificial intelligence, such as large language models and other machine learning systems trained on image datasets. |
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| ACCESS TO EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION |
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| Child Care Access Varies by Location, IncomeThe National Survey of Early Care and Education (NSECE) helps show how much early care and education (ECE) is available in the U.S. and how much families need it. A government report looks at how the supply of ECE services matches the demand for them, focusing on center-based care. It found that families' access to certain types of care—like full-time care, infant/toddler care, and parent-paid care—can vary a lot depending on where they live. For example, access to Head Start programs tends to depend on family income and how poor the local area is, but that’s not the case for other public programs like Public Pre-K or CCDF-funded centers.
Read the Reports |
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| Gaps in Access to Quality Early EducationGaps in access to quality early childhood education (ECE) still exist in the U.S. and can affect people throughout their lives. A study in Early Childhood Research Quarterly used interviews and community discussions to learn from parents, educators, and leaders about these challenges. They found that what disadvantaged families hoped for in ECE often didn’t match what they actually experienced, and that complex, unfair systems made it harder for them to access services. Some families also felt uneasy about home-visiting programs because of past negative or discriminatory encounters.
Read the Research |
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| Boosting ECEC in Childcare DesertsHigh-quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) is essential for children’s development, parents’ ability to work, and businesses’ ability to find employees. However, many communities face a severe shortage of childcare, known as a childcare desert, which has worsened since COVID-19. A study in rural Kentucky found that beyond financial challenges, misconceptions about families’ needs and unclear communication also contribute to the problem. These misunderstandings shape ineffective solutions and hinder efforts to expand childcare access. The research, in the Early Childhood Education Journal highlights that while barriers exist, many can be overcome, offering communities a path to strengthen ECEC and support local families.
Read the Research |
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| Overcoming Barriers to Infant and Toddler CareFederal and state programs are starting to focus more on making sure families can access high-quality care for infants and toddlers. A literature review from Child Trends, spanning 2008 to 2018, shows that there are still many gaps in understanding what helps or gets in the way of families finding good care. Studies suggest that improving data collection, supporting child care providers through better pay and training, and expanding support networks can help. More research is needed to learn what really works for the youngest children and their caregivers.
Read the Review |
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| A Framework to Improve Access to Quality ECECEarly childhood education and care (ECEC) can greatly benefit children from disadvantaged backgrounds, but these children are often left out of high-quality programs. A recent paper in the Early Childhood Education Journal highlights the need to understand why this happens and offers a framework that maps out the many factors affecting access. It also reviews efforts aimed at improving access for low-income and immigrant families. The framework is designed to help policymakers and educators work together more effectively to create fairer access to quality ECEC.
Read the Research |
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| Strong State Policies Improve Quality ECE Access Federally-funded programs like Head Start can't serve all eligible children, so state policies on early childhood education (ECE) are crucial in filling the gap. Researchers studied how state policies affected children's enrollment in formal and high-quality ECE, both within and outside of Head Start. Their findings suggest that states committed to ECE help low-income families access better programs when Head Start is unavailable, but Head Start has less impact on enrollment in those states. Overall, strong state ECE policies are linked to better access to quality education for these families.
Read the Research |
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| High Absenteeism Linked to Subsidized Child CareMany states used to give child care subsidies based on how often children showed up, which made it hard for providers when kids were frequently absent. A new federal rule starting in spring 2024 changed that, requiring payments to be based on enrollment instead of attendance. Research from Massachusetts showed that children with subsidies were often absent, especially in pre-K, and those in center-based care had slightly higher absence rates than those in family child care. Children who were frequently absent in pre-K were also likely to be absent in kindergarten, no matter what kind of care they had earlier.
Read the Research |
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| PDG B-5 UPDATES AND RESOURCES |
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| The Nevada Preschool Development Grant Birth-Five (PDG B-5) grant has been supporting Early Childhood Care and Education programs in the state since December 2022, including the Early Childhood Advisory Committee, Language Access supports, the QRIS system, and trainings and programs that support the Early Childhood workforce. The federal funds that support PDG B-5 will be expiring December 30, 2025, in the coming months we will highlight some of our achievements and opportunities that will further benefit our community. Resources available now: Family Engagement Mentorship and Networking (FEMN) Program – Designed to empower Nevada organizations to implement sustainable family engagement strategies, share resources, and build networks statewide that include children ages 0–8. The program is developed and managed by the Nevada Department of Education’s PDG B-5, in partnership with families and communities statewide. Qualifying organizations can apply for a one-time $5,000 stipend will be paid by the Children’s Cabinet.
Translation and Interpretation Services - Translation and interpretation play critical roles in bridging language barriers. To make sure everyone has fair access to important documents and resources, the Nevada Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five (PDG B-5) has allocated funds to support translation of documents and interpretation at meetings in languages other than English. To qualify, participants must serve children ages 0–8, live in Nevada, and/or be involved in a pre-approved PDG B-5 engagement opportunity. Please access request forms for translation and interpretation here.
Coming soon: ECE Workforce Wellness Guidebook and Wellness Plans – PDG B-5 team in partnership with Nevada’s QRIS system and The Children’s Cabinet is excited to offer twenty $5,000.00 Wellness Stipends for licensed 2 - 5 star rated Early Care and Education providers. For eligibility details or application updates, contact Early Childhood Workforce Specialist Jamie Mendez at jamie.mendez@doe.nv.gov.
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| NEVADA ECAC UPDATES AND INFORMATION |
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| Calling all parents and Early Childhood Systems Workforce! The Nevada ECAC is currently accepting New Member Applications for our Subcommittees! Our meetings are Open to the Public, join us and discover what is happening within Early Childhood. The 2025 ECAC meeting schedule, subcommittee applications and subcommittee details are online, check out the work we are doing and goals we are working towards in here: at this link.
Questions? Email us at: Sabrina Jones, ECAC Systems Specialist Email: sabrina.jones@doe.nv.gov and Brandi Hearst, ECAC Administrative Coordinator Email: brandi.hearst@doe.nv.gov
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| APRIL IS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH |
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| April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about the challenges families face that can affect their children's well-being. The theme for this year, "Powered by Hope, Strengthened by Prevention," highlights the importance of supporting families with the right resources to create better futures for their children. By raising awareness, educating others, and working as a community, we can help stop child abuse before it starts.
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| APRIL 5-11TH IS WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD |
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| The Week of the Young Child™ is a yearly event started in 1971 by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) to raise awareness about the importance of early childhood and to support the programs that help young kids and their families. It’s a time for communities across the country to recognize the vital role early education plays in helping children, from birth to age 8, grow and succeed.
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| APRIL IS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH |
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| During the month of April, various organizations in Nevada join a national conversation promoting Autism Awareness Month. This helps raise awareness, promotes acceptance, and celebrates the strengths of individuals with autism. While helping families better understand autism, the need for families to have accessible, efficient, and affordable access to autism resources is also emphasized.
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| MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH |
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| May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Taking care of our minds is just as important as taking care of our bodies. Whether it’s practicing self-care, talking to someone you trust, or simply taking a deep breath, every step counts. Let’s work together to create a world where mental health is a priority for all—youth, families, and communities! Children’s Mental Health Action Week is also celebrated during the first full week of May, which highlights the importance of mental well-being for children and youth. This year’s theme, “That’s a WRAP!”, encourages Wellness, Resilience, Action, and Purpose, urging everyone to take meaningful steps to create lasting positive change for children and community. |
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| DAY WITHOUT CHILD CARE - MAY 12, 2025 |
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