From Classroom to Capitol: Staying Connected to the Policies That Shape You

In child care, every day moves fast — and so does policy. From funding changes and new licensing rules to state-level legislation that impacts your ratios, payroll, or enrollment, it can feel impossible to keep up. But staying informed doesn’t have to mean spending hours reading bills or tracking every press release.

At Tandem, we know how busy center leaders and staff are. You’re already doing the hardest, most important work — keeping children safe and cared for every day. This blog is here to give you shortcuts: quick, actionable ways to stay ahead of policy changes before they affect your classrooms, your staff, or your families.

This is about playing offense, not defense. Let’s make sure you’re never the last to know.

🧭 Why Policy Awareness Matters

You don’t have to be a policy expert to be impacted by policy. From subsidy rate changes and staffing mandates to federal funding cliffs and new local regulations, child care policy shapes the environment you operate in — whether you’re tuned into it or not.

And the truth is, many decisions that affect your business and your team happen without provider voices in the room. That’s why staying informed — and raising your voice when needed — is a critical leadership tool, not an optional extra.

⚡️Quick Ways to Stay Informed

Here are a few easy, no-nonsense ways to build awareness into your weekly routine:

1. Subscribe to Policy-Focused Newsletters

Spend 5 minutes a week reading high-quality updates from trusted sources. Some of our favorites:

• First Five Years Fund — Great for national updates and funding news.
   ➡️ Subscribe here
• Child Care Aware® of America — A top source for state and federal changes.
   ➡️ Subscribe here
• The 19th’s Changing Child Care series — In-depth journalism about the systemic issues shaping early education.
   ➡️ Read here

2. Follow the Right Accounts

Social media can be overwhelming — but it can also be a shortcut. Follow these orgs for digestible, real-time updates:

• @ChildCareAware
• @firstfiveyearsfund
• @19thnews

3. Bookmark Your State’s Child Care Agency

Policy changes often start at the state level, not just in Washington. Every state has a department that oversees early childhood programs — this is your go-to source for updates on licensing rules, funding opportunities, staffing requirements, and more.

Take a moment to find and bookmark your state’s child care or early learning agency so you can easily check for new policies, alerts, and resources when you need them.

4. Partner With Local Advocates

Organizations like Policy Matters Ohio, for example, and local child care resource & referral agencies often do the heavy lifting of tracking policy — so you don’t have to. Attend their webinars, skim their updates, or sign up for alerts.

ChildCare Aware has a great resource map that allows you to find local resources for your region:

➡️ Search Here

5. Appoint a “Policy Champion” on Your Team

You don’t have to do this alone. Assign a staff member or administrator to spend 15 minutes each week reviewing one or two trusted sources and sharing takeaways during staff meetings. It’s a simple way to stay informed — and it helps build a culture where policy awareness is part of your center’s rhythm.

Even more importantly, this role can empower your team. By giving a staff member the opportunity to lead, you’re reinforcing trust, building leadership skills, and showing that you value their voice in shaping the future of your program. When staff feel informed and included, they’re more invested in the bigger picture — and more confident navigating change.

💬 Don’t Just Watch — Participate

Being informed is the first step. Speaking up is the second. Whether it’s writing to your representative, sharing your story with a local paper, or signing onto a coalition letter, your experience matters. When policymakers don’t hear from child care providers, they fill the gap with assumptions.

Let’s make sure you’re part of the conversation — not just affected by it.

💡 Final Thought

You’re not just a provider — you’re a leader in a vital public system. Staying informed doesn’t have to be one more thing on your plate. With the right tools and a little routine, you can stay one step ahead, advocate for what you need, and build a stronger, more stable future for your program and the families you serve.

Need more help navigating policy? Tandem is here to support you. Let’s lead the future of child care — together.