First Focus on Children believes that effective child care must meet four key criteria: high-quality services, access, affordability, and a well-supported workforce.

Vice President Joe Biden’s child care plan, released Tuesday, would provide immediate funding to support the pandemic-decimated child care sector, and would make long-term investments in the care of young children by checking all four boxes. 

“We’re pleased to see Vice President Biden offer such a comprehensive and effective child care plan,” said Bruce Lesley, president of First Focus on Children. “Our nation’s children and families are facing multiple threats and challenges right now and it is great to see Vice President Biden address a critical need for families and our economy.”

Biden’s plan meets our criteria with the following items: 

  • $335 billion in new child care money
  • Free, universal pre-K for 3- and 4-year olds
  • 1.5 million new early childhood jobs
  • Increased pay and benefits for early education teachers as well as professional development and training opportunities
  • Refundable tax credit of up to $16,000 and 50% of child care costs, based on income and number of children
  • A cap on child care costs for a family of up to 7% of income for families with children under age 5 who earn less than 1.5 times the state average
  • Construction of new child care centers and renovations of those needing work
  • Expansion of the Child Care Development Block Grant for after school, weekend and summer care programs
  • Increased child care for students at community colleges
  • Encouragement of family options for child care arrangements that best meet their needs – center-based, home-based, informal friend-and-neighbor care