Argues that the federal government is the only funding source of the magnitude needed to create an adequate early care and education system. Urges the early childhood community to unite behind a long-term strategy for creating and financing an effective national early care/education system. Presents three such proposals that differ in priorities…

Data from the Family Child Care and Relative Care Study were used to construct a budget for paid family child caregivers and to examine financial incentives. Results indicated that income was low compared to female-dominated occupations for providers without their own children in care, but not much lower if providers cared for several and/or for…