Our Commitment
To break the cycle of poverty through increased access to high-quality child care options for children ages 0-3.
Our Approach
To leverage City resources, policies, and partnerships to strengthen the infrastructure of child care in the City of Los Angeles and increase family access to high-quality infant and toddler care settings.
The Challenge with Child Care
Child care is essential for the healthy development of children and families. Studies show that high-quality child care is vital for children’s healthy brain development and that children who receive high-quality care develop cognitive and social skills that better prepare them for school and life. For families, consistent child care allows parents and guardians to work or attend school, helping them to build careers and long-term financial stability.
Child care in Los Angeles, however, is hard to find and expensive. In 2022, child care was ranked as the highest household expense, surpassing housing costs. At the same time, child care providers have faced significant challenges from high operating costs, low wages, and declining enrollment, which have prevented program growth and led to business closures.
Many areas of the City are recognized as child care deserts, where the number of children needing care far surpasses the number of available seats. The Child Care Policy & Equity unit is dedicated to improving opportunities for both families and providers so that our children and our communities can thrive.
The Child Care Policy & Equity conducted a family survey in February 2024 to learn about Angeleno families’ child care needs and guide its work in child care. The survey results are available in English and in Spanish.
Read the Caring Cities report, a research effort from CHANGE and the City of Los Angeles to learn about the challenges early child care providers face and the support they need to thrive.
Our Approach
Child care can be defined broadly to include infants and toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children (5-12 years). The Child Care Policy and Equity unit focuses on care for Angeleno children ages 0-5 before California requires them to attend school. In particular, we work to expand affordable and high-quality child care options for Angeleno children ages 0-3 by increasing Citywide support for families and child care providers.
Our team aims to strengthen the mixed delivery model of child care, which includes a range of public and private settings. Program diversity allows families to choose the best care for them and their child and enables providers and educators to choose how they deliver care best.
Four Priority Areas
Ensuring the cost of child care is affordable for all families and that providers have the compensation they deserve and the resources they need to provide quality care
Strengthening the City’s policies and procedures to encourage program development in areas where child care is needed most
Helping families and providers understand and navigate child care information and resources
Increasing the opportunities for providers, educators, and child care programs to thrive
What We Do
Our team works to make it easier for families to find affordable child care and for child care providers to provide high-quality care to our City’s youngest learners.
We Support Providers and Families in Three Ways
Innovate
We leverage partnerships and resources to strengthen the child care infrastructure and increase choices for families.
Advocate
We elevate the needs of families and providers at the City, County and State levels and push for policies and opportunities that benefit families and providers alike.
Communicate
We streamline child care information and proactively engage communities to increase family and provider access to critical child care information.
Find Los Angeles child care resources you need - today.
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