Applying an Equity Lens to the Child Care Setting

Area of Science:

• Early Childhood Education
• Public Policy
• Sociology

Background:

• Child care is increasingly integrated into Early Care and Education (ECE) systems.
• Current ECE policies often overlook equitable access and cultural considerations.
• Diverse child care structures exist, particularly differing between state regulations and Indian Country.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize definitions and structures of child care.
• To analyze current child care policy through the lens of institutional racism and trauma.
• To highlight differences in child care regulation between state governments and Indian Country.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of child care definitions and structures.
• Policy analysis incorporating frameworks of institutional racism and trauma.
• Comparative examination of state and Indian Country child care regulations.

Main Results:

• Current child care systems and policies are not universally equitable.
• State regulations and Indian Country regulations exhibit significant structural and procedural differences.
• A framework addressing institutional racism and trauma is largely absent in current child care policy discussions.

Conclusions:

• Child care policy requires a more inclusive approach, considering equity and cultural relevance.
• Policy development must acknowledge and address systemic issues like racism and trauma.
• Recognizing and respecting the unique regulatory structures within Indian Country is essential for equitable child care.