The Case For Child Care
Quality early learning and care is a powerful investment in our children, families, and communities. During the earliest years of life, children’s brains develop rapidly, and nurturing, stable care helps build the critical skills they need to thrive. Studies consistently show that children who experience quality early learning and care are more likely to enter school ready to learn, graduate high school on time, and have better health and employment outcomes as adults. 1
A reliable early learning and care system also allows parents and guardians to work and pursue their careers with confidence, supporting household incomes and economic security. By strengthening families today and improving children’s future opportunities, early learning and care creates benefits that reach beyond the classroom.
Interested in Learning More? Contact First 5 OC staff Cristina Blevins, at 714-567-0150 or cristina.blevins@first5.oc.gov.
Child Care Landscape Analysis
During the summer of 2025, with the help of our partners, data was collected that provides a refreshed view of Orange County’s child care landscape. The report highlights:
- The economic impact of child care
- Child care supply and pricing
- Subsidized programs
- Challenges parents/caregivers face in securing care for children with disabilities
Data gathering was a collaborative effort, and we thank the organizations, providers, families, and caregivers who shared their data and insights. These contributing organizations are cited throughout the report.
To read the full report or for additional language translations, contact cristina.blevins@first5.oc.gov.
Child Care Task Force
Turning data into action requires collaboration. In 2022, we launched the Child Care Task Force, bringing together parents, employers, city representatives, early learning and care providers, legislators, and philanthropists. This cross-sector team worked together to develop and implement local solutions to the child care challenges in Orange County. Their work continues today.
Strategies To Improve & Expand Access
Change is within reach; by increasing by only
2%
we can create
1,399
additional slots
First 5 OC and its partners are advancing innovative strategies to improve and expand access to quality child care across Orange County by providing professional development, convening stakeholders, partnering with municipalities, offering specialized training, and ensuring families understand their child care options.
“Besides cost and location, finding someone you trust is the most important thing.”
Workforce Development
Child care workforce development starts with training and supporting early educators so they can provide high-quality care for young children.
▶ Workforce Development Grants: In 2026, we secured $250,000 from Jobs First to integrate child care into countywide workforce programs and $75,000 from the Orange County Department of Education to expand an apprenticeship program, now involving six partners, to prepare the next generation of child care providers.
▶ Quality Start OC: In partnership with Orange County Department of Education, Quality Start OC initiative builds the capacity of the early care workforce, strengthens skills, improves program quality, and ensures more children benefit from high-quality learning environments.
▶ Improve and Maximize programs so All Children Thrive (IMPACT): The IMPACT initiative is a comprehensive statewide initiative aimed at strengthening the quality of early learning and care in private and home-based environments by supporting children’s health, development, behavioral health, and family well‑being. It reinforces and sustains the Quality Start system by providing ongoing funding, promoting cross‑agency policy alignment, and leveraging additional resources to ensure long‑term quality improvement across early learning and care systems.
▶ In Home Child Care Business Program: In March 2023 to March 2026, we trained a cohort of aspiring child care providers, creating 550 new child care slots for children birth to five. Strong partnerships with the Small Business Development Center, CIELO, OCAEYC, and others make this work possible.
▶ A Child Care Business Toolkit has been developed to help more providers learn how to start and sustain successful child care businesses. The toolkit offers step-by-step guidance on building business skills, navigating licensing requirements, and understanding regulations.
▶ Career Pathways and Economic Mobility: First 5 OC partners with the Orange County Business Council through the Jobs First initiative and with OC Pathways through the Orange County Department of Education to strengthen the early childhood workforce by improving access to clear, navigable career pathways. Through this collaboration, we help align regional workforce strategies with early learning workforce needs, expand professional learning opportunities, and support systems that enable early educators to advance their skills and move into higher-level roles. Together, these partnerships help build a more prepared, stable, and upwardly mobile early childhood workforce.
Housing & Co-location of Child Care
Planning housing and child care together recognizes that families need both secure housing and quality care, aligning the two systems will expand access. First 5 OC is convening housing developers to educate and inform them on child care program operations by providing technical assistance and connecting the developers to operators as they apply for and build housing that includes on-site child care.
If child care centers are included within apartment complexes and residential communities, families will gain access to convenient, affordable options close to home, reducing transportation barriers and waitlists. On-site child care centers also create stable jobs for educators and support staff and strengthens the local economy.
“I am a single mother of 3 and work from about 9 to 6 Tuesday through Saturday. My children’s daycare is only open Monday through Friday so my mom has to watch them on Saturdays…I have to leave early a lot because my kids cannot stay past 6…If I could find child care with more flexible hours, I would look for a better position.”
City Engagement
In 2025, First 5 OC launched the Early Childhood City Initiative in La Habra and Anaheim to support municipalities in prioritizing early childhood development across education, health, and housing. First 5 OC is working to help cities shift how they approach their youngest residents, integrating early childhood priorities into all aspects of city operations, from infrastructure and public safety to economic development.
We’re continuing to expand our reach by meeting with additional cities to support their local landscape data, discuss facility development challenges and solutions, highlight resources and technical assistance from partners, and co-create actionable steps to improve access to high quality care in every city.
Child Care Systems
The OC Child Care Systems Collaborative is a network of organizations across Orange County working together to help families access and maintain quality child care. Its mission is to coordinate the many parts of the early care system, making it easier for families to navigate and connect with programs that meet their needs.
Interested in Learning More? Contact First 5 OC staff Cristina Blevins, at 714-567-0150 or cristina.blevins@first5.oc.gov.