Child Care and Early Education Research Connections

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Resources Related to the Impact of COVID-19 on Child Care and Early Education

This page includes federal coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) resources and links to research that is relevant to the impact of COVID-19 on child care and early education (CCEE). 

Federal COVID-19 Resources

This section includes federal resources directly related to COVID-19’s impact on the CCEE system, and the CCEE system’s response to COVID-19.

Research Connections

The Research Connections library includes resources that are directly related to COVID-19, including individual state and multi-state reports; strategies for supporting children, families, and providers; and peer-reviewed journal articles. The Research Connections team compiled a bibliography of COVID-19-related resources (last updated in April 2020), which lists a sample of resources related to COVID-19. The State and Local COVID-19 Reports page includes links to individual state and local reports, fact sheets,  briefs, and multi-state reports.

Office of Child Care

Office of Child Care COVID-19 Resources include guidance and resources for Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Lead Agencies, families, and providers, as well as information on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and the COVID-19 Legislation Guide for CCDF Administrators.

Office of Head Start

The Office of Head Start updates and maintains resources on COVID-19, including program guidance, Q&As, and resources on program management, operations, and supporting children and families.

Office of Early Childhood Development

The Office of Early Childhood Development includes information and resources regarding COVID-19 and federal agency COVID-19 links.

CCEE Research Relevant to COVID-19

This section includes research from the Research Connections library that is indirectly related to COVID-19’s impact on CCEE settings and workforce, the CCEE system, children, and families. While some research is less recent, the topics remain relevant to the pandemic’s ongoing impact on CCEE.

CCEE Settings and Workforce

CCEE System

  • Online Learning: Virtual learning in CCEE workforce professional development (for degree programs and state-required training and professional development)

  • Cost of Providing CCEE Services: National-, state-, and community-level reports and journal articles focused on assessing the cost of providing CCEE and closing the gap between expenses and revenue

  • Financing CCEE: Methods for investing in and financing CCEE, including analyses of state and local strategies and recommendations

  • Coordination of CCEE Services: Coordination and integration of CCEE services, including community- and state-level strategies and recommendations

  • Equity and CCEE: Policies to address inequities in CCEE

  • CCEE Standards: Policies and standards for licensing, quality rating and improvement systems, state-funded prekindergarten, the workforce, and professional development

  • Licensing and Regulation Policies: Policies specific to child care licensing, including trends, background checks, monitoring, and administration

  • Physical and Mental Health and Safety: Nutrition; safety regulations; emergency care; and emergency preparedness, response, and recovery; as well as other topics

Children

  • Early Childhood Trauma: Understanding the effects of trauma on children, services for families of children experiencing trauma, and ways in which CCEE settings can support children who have experienced trauma

Families

  • Access to CCEE: National, state, and local resources focused on access to CCEE, including access for families in rural areas, families needing care during nontraditional hours, families with children who have special needs, families with low incomes, and families with infants and toddlers