Reports
The Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center conducts original research and rigorous evaluations of state policies and programs. Through mixed methods, we examine not only whether a policy is effective, but also for whom and under what conditions. We calculate the return on investments. Our findings help states strengthen supports for children and families.
Featured
Families across the United States are struggling to find and afford child care. Policymakers, advocates, and researchers have documented the scope of that struggle at the national level for years. What has been far harder to answer is a simpler question: what is happening in any given community?
A new five-part research series from our Center provides that kind of local understanding for greater Nashville, Tennessee.
Additional Reports
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Refundable Tax Credits: Uptake Patterns in Texas Reveal Opportunities for States to Support Families
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Reports & Research Briefs
Because the earliest years of life shape brain development and lifelong wellbeing, the policies and systems that support families with young children matter enormously. Our Research and Evaluation and Policy teams produce reports and briefs across key areas including child care, paid leave, economic supports, governance, and equity to translate the science of early childhood into actionable solutions. Explore our catalog below to find research on the topics that matter most to you.
2025 Prenatal-to-3 Legislative Roundup
With most legislatures adjourned for the year, we recap the 2025 action on state policies to support children and families.
State Policy Progress on Child Care Subsidies in 2025
High-quality and reliable child care is a vital resource for families and communities, often determining parents’ ability to work or
How Do State Policy Choices Impact Family Resources?
The Policy Impact Calculator compares the level of resources available to a full-time working family across states. This interactive tool
Low Pay, No Matter the Path for Early Childhood Educators: Findings from North Texas
Recent survey data from North Texas indicate that early childhood educator wages remain far below the local living wage, regardless
Approaches to Improving Early Educators’ Compensation
Early educators remain among the most underpaid workers in the nation despite playing a critical role in child development and
The Impact of State Minimum Wage Increases
In the 20 states where the minimum wage is set at the federal level of $7.25 per hour, full-time workers
A Tale of Two States: The Impact of State Policy Choices on Family Resources
Since the release of our 2020 Prenatal-to-3 State Policy Roadmap, every state has increased their investment in at least one
State Child Tax Credits: A Promising Policy to Improve Child Outcomes
Ever since the successful temporary expansion of the federal child tax credit (CTC) in 2021, state CTCs have become an
Effective Early Childhood Governance: Lessons Learned from Governance Change
Governance change does not happen overnight, and states rarely accomplish it alone. Drawing on case studies of five states that
Early Childhood Governance Typologies: Patterns in State Governance Across the Nation
State choices in early childhood governance shape whether families can easily find, access, and use the services their children need.
Executive Summary: Davidson County, Tennessee Child Care Landscape Study
The Davidson County Child Care Landscape Study examines local child care supply, population metrics that inform demand, the local ECE
Brief 1: Early Education for the Next Generation – Understanding Child Care Supply
Child care access shapes whether families with young children can work and whether children receive the nurturing, structured environments that
Brief 5: Estimating the True Cost of High-Quality Home-Based Care – Insights from True-Cost Modeling
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