--- title: Examining solutions to the child care crisis description: Explore solutions to the child care crisis as experts discuss successful reforms and strategies to improve access and quality in Missouri and beyond. image: https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hubfs/CCAMO%20Partner%20Pub%20Resize%20900x525%20(2).png --- [![Child Care Aware of Missouri Logo](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Child%20Care%20Aware%20Logo%20(1).png?width=666&height=414&name=Child%20Care%20Aware%20Logo%20(1).png "Child Care Aware of Missouri Logo")](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication) Open main menu Close main menu [Child Care Keeps Missouri Working℠](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/child-care-keeps-missouri-working) # Examining solutions to the child care crisis [Child Care Aware® of Missouri](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/author/child-care-aware-of-missouri) [Share this blog post via Email](mailto:?subject=%3Cspan+id%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper_name%22+class%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper+hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field+hs_cos_wrapper_type_text%22+style%3D%22%22+data-hs-cos-general-type%3D%22meta_field%22+data-hs-cos-type%3D%22text%22+%3EExamining+solutions+to+the+child+care+crisis%3C%2Fspan%3E&body=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post%3A+https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/cckmw-examining-solutions-to-the-child-care-crisis) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/cckmw-examining-solutions-to-the-child-care-crisis) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/cckmw-examining-solutions-to-the-child-care-crisis) ![](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hubfs/CCAMO%20Partner%20Pub%20Resize%20900x525%20(2).png) **Summary: Experts shine a light on solutions to the child care crisis** by Krysten Crawford| April 23, 2026 The article summarizes a Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR) policy forum examining solutions to the rising cost of child care, now a central component of the broader affordability crisis. New Mexico was highlighted as the first U.S. state to offer free child care for all children under age five, while San Francisco was noted as the first city to provide free child care for working families. With federal action stalled, state and local governments are leading reform efforts. Speakers emphasized that successful child care reform requires more than funding alone. New Mexico’s approach includes strong political will, coalition-building, the establishment of a cabinet-level early childhood department, and ongoing evaluation of outcomes, including enrollment, family stability, educator turnover, and child well-being. Leaders in California and San Francisco also stressed the importance of reducing administrative red tape, coordinating fragmented systems, securing sustainable funding, and improving wages for child care workers. The forum framed child care as essential economic infrastructure that supports families, children, workers, and broader workforce participation. SIEPR plans to release a new model to help governments estimate the impacts of specific child care reforms, including effects on labor force participation and provider earnings. Overall, the article underscores growing momentum in child care reform and highlights how emerging state and local efforts can offer practical lessons for expanding access while maintaining quality. Read the full article: [https://siepr.stanford.edu/news/child-care-affordability-crisis-siepr-shines-light-solutions](https://siepr.stanford.edu/news/child-care-affordability-crisis-siepr-shines-light-solutions)   --- Explore our other Child Care Aware® of Missouri resources: [Child Care Keeps Missouri Working℠](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/child-care-keeps-missouri-working)[Child Care Health and Wellness](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/child-care-nutrition-and-physical-activity)[Community Data](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/community-data)[Join Our Team](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/join-our-team)[Leadership Development Opportunities](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/leadership-development-opportunities)[Missouri Office of Childhood Updates](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/missouri-office-of-childhood-updates)[Scholarships for Educators](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/scholarships-for-educators)[Show Me Child Care Resources](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/show-me-child-care-resources)[Support Child Care Aware® of Missouri](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/support-child-care-aware)[Resources to Build Your Business](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/resources-to-build-your-business)[Training and Technical Assistance](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/training-and-technical-assistance) Visit [https://mochildcareaware.org/](https://mochildcareaware.org/) to learn more.   #### About - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three #### Services - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three #### News - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three Follow us on Facebook Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram