On Unsteady Ground: Infant and Toddler Child Care Needs Stability

Oct 30, 2026

By Xanna Burg

Before children take their first steps, the system that supports them must be steady. Infant and toddler care costs more than families can afford, and recent investments in preschool children (while great for these children) has caused additional strain on providers caring for infants and toddlers. The bottom line, policy solutions are needed that directly support and stabilize infant and toddler child care. Infant and toddler care is more than a service that allows parents to work; it is a foundation for children’s earliest development and supports family stability and thriving communities.