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What happens when we change how the federal government supports childcare?

A new executive summary from The Budget Lab at Yale evaluates five different policy paths—from universal subsidies to provider tax credits. The data reveals some powerful potential outcomes by 2030:

✨For Families: Generous subsidies could lead to a massive shift toward formal care, allowing more parents (especially moms) to re-enter the workforce.
✨For Workers: Some policies could increase care worker wages by over 30%, helping to stabilize a workforce that has long faced a shortage.
✨For the Future: These investments can even impact a child’s future earnings, particularly for those in lower-income households.

It's a complex puzzle, but this research highlights that how we design these subsidies determines who benefits most.

Evaluating the Impacts of Federal Subsidies for Early Childhood Education and Care: Executive Summary

A stronger economy starts with healthy, stable families.

When we support paid family leave, we’re doing more than helping individuals—we’re boosting employee retention, improving public health, and making Louisiana a more competitive place to live and work.

The progress we've seen for state employees is a great start. Now, let’s look at how we can expand that support to more workers across the state, ensuring our schools and businesses stay strong for the long haul.

Check out this great perspective from Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI) on why this is such a critical move for our state.

Why Paid Family Leave Is an Imperative for a Healthy and Economically Successful Louisiana  — Louisiana Public Health Institute Shelina Davis, MPH, MSW , CEO of the Louisiana Public Health Institute, emphasizes that paid family leave is a critical support for healthier families, stronger schools, and more resilient communities, highlighting that when parents and educators can care for loved ones without sacrificing income, b

It’s Artsy Thursday for the ! 🖌️

Today, we are celebrating the power of "Process Art." Where the focus is on the doing rather than the finished product. When children explore materials like plasticine, loose parts, or watercolors without a predetermined goal, they aren't just making art—they are:
✅ Strengthening fine motor skills
✅ Developing expressive language
✅ Building social connections through problem-solving
https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/tyc/winter2023/what-will-we-make

I usually spend this time of year posting about seasonal changes and upcoming holidays, but looking at my calendar, I realized the next major milestone is Tax Day! While it might not have the same festive flair as a spring holiday, it is a fantastic opportunity to engage children in learning about money.

Financial literacy is a lifelong journey, and starting these conversations early helps demystify how the world works. Whether it’s explaining why we contribute to community resources like parks and libraries or simply talking about the value of saving, there is always a way to make it age-appropriate and constructive.

Here is a great resource from the Child Mind Institute that offers practical tips on how to talk to kids about money without the stress.

Talking to Kids About Money - Child Mind Institute Starting early helps children develop good habits like setting limits on spending and resisting impulse buys

April is National Poetry Month, and it’s the perfect time to bring the magic of rhythm and rhyme into classrooms!

Poetry isn’t just about art—it’s a foundational tool for early literacy. One of our favorite ways to celebrate is "Poem in Your Pocket Day"! Have students choose a favorite short poem to carry with them and share with friends, teachers, or family throughout the day. It’s a simple way to build confidence and a love for language.

How are you celebrating poetry with your little learners this month? Let us know!

Celebrate 30 Years of National Poetry Month with 30 Ways to Celebrate Explore ways to celebrate National Poetry Month for poetry lovers of all ages, including tools for use inside the classroom, especially for K-12 students and educators.

Is it just us, or is the air starting to feel a little different? Spring is officially here, and it’s the perfect time to turn a neighborhood walk into a science lesson for the little ones! 🌿

From spotting the first blooms to listening for new birdsongs, there are so many "clues" that nature is waking up. We found this fantastic guide from National Geographic Kids that breaks down the top signs of spring to look for with your children.

Check out the full list here and let us know: What's the first sign of spring you've spotted in your backyard this week? 🐞👇

Signs of spring: facts for kids! | National Geographic Kids From tweeting birds to blossoming flowers, learn all about the telltale signs of spring, including top tips and things to look out for...

Rhea Lana’s of New Orleans consignment event is approaching. I have been both shopping and selling with this local sale since my son was a toddler, and it remains a consistent resource for quality children's items.

If you are looking to consign your children’s outgrown clothes or shop for the upcoming season, you can find the full schedule, location details, and seller registration information at the link.

Rhea Lana's of New Orleans - Get the latest info! Rhea Lana's of New Orleans is a LOCALLY OWNED, Award-Winning Semi-Annual Children's Consignment Event! We have over 200 families selling thousands of gently-used, HIGH-QUALITY clothes and shoes (newborn-teen), toys, books, baby equipment, maternity clothes, and much more at affordable prices. We h...

Did you know that there is an entire week dedicated to celebrating Family Child Care? It’s true! And it’s coming up fast. From March 29 – April 5, we are diving into FCC Family Adventure Week.

This isn't just any week—it’s a nationwide celebration of the unique, high-quality care that happens in our family child care homes. This year, we’re taking things to the wild side with the theme: Safari Adventure “Explore the Wild Side of Learning”.

National Association for Family Child Care: Purpose with PD: FCC Adventure Week: Play, Learn, Grow Dezire’e serves as the Director of Professional Development for the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC). In this role, she is responsible for creating and implementing a comprehensive range of educational programs and resources tailored to the needs of family child care educators th...

This Women’s History Month, we are highlighting a major milestone in literary history. Congratulations to Vashti Harrison, who recently made history as the first Black woman to receive the Caldecott Medal for her book, Big.

The Caldecott Medal is the highest honor for American children's picture book illustration, and Vashti’s win is a beautiful reminder of the power of representation in the stories we share with our children.

A Vashti Harrison earns a place in history with her 2024 Caldecott win for 'Big,' the first book she both wrote and illustrated.

They say it takes a village, and during Women’s History Month, we are reflecting on the fact that the "village" is almost always led by women.

In New Orleans and across the country, the childcare and education sectors are powered by the ingenuity and resilience of women. Yet, so much of this work—the emotional labor, the strategic pivoting, the constant nurturing—happens behind the scenes.

Leadership in education is an endurance sport. It requires a high-performance mindset and a deep commitment to collective care. This month at Learning Matters, we celebrate the women who: challenge the status quo in their centers, mentor the next generation of lead teachers, and ensure that "learning matters" for every single child, regardless of the hurdles.

Thank you to the mentors and pioneers who paved the way for the high-quality systems we are building today. Happy Women’s History Month!

As an educator, I’m constantly thinking about how we set our youngest learners up for success. We often hear the question, "Is this child ready for kindergarten?" But a recent article challenged me to flip the script. The real question we should be asking is: Is the school ready for the child?

Why We Keep Asking the Wrong Question About Kindergarten Readiness Neuman and Bukzin: Today’s Kindergarten classrooms demand more, earlier — revealing a system out of sync with how young children actually learn.

Last week, the life of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson was celebrated by thousands. His experiences as a child in a racially segregated environment shaped his commitment to social justice and his lifelong dedication to fighting for equality, for which many are grateful. We will keep hope alive!

Watch live: Homegoing service celebrates civil rights leader Jesse Jackson in Chicago Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton are speaking at the event, which also features music from Chicago native Jennifer Hudson. Other attendees include Sen. Dick Durbin and Mr. T.