DeLauro on the Issues | Legislation

Legislation Introduced by Congresswoman DeLauro

107th Congress | 106th Congress | Search for Legislation

106th Congress

With more than 50 percent of mothers of children under one year of age working outside the home, quality child care is a top family concern. Unfortunately, studies in many states show that nearly half of all care for children under the age of three is of such substandard quality that it threatens their health and safety. It's clear we must do more to help states strengthen and enforce their child care quality standards. This is especially important for children from birth to three years of age. Critical brain and emotional development in these early years can have a profound impact on the child's future abilities.

The Early Learning and Opportunity State Grants Act of 2000 (HR 4206) is a competitive, flexible grant program which would provide money to states to enhance child care quality and improve child care availability for children age birth to three. It authorizes $4.25 billion over five years to be administered to states to address their local needs. States could use this grant money to improve training, education, or compensation for child care providers, build new or expand existing quality care facilities, or work to improve child-to-staff ratios, among other things. The bill has 47 bi-partisan co-sponsors.

Status of H.R. 4206

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