Showing child care’s impact on the local economy can be an effective way to reframe public support as economic development, rather than welfare. A Cornell University group under the direction of Professor Mildred Warner has undertaken an analysis of the economic benefits for Tompkins County, NY, from investment in early childhood care and education.

• "Changing the Terms of the Debate." This paper discusses language that can be useful in reframing child care as a community issue, and cautions against certain pitfalls.
• "How Does Child Care Impact the Tompkins County Economy?" This fact sheet summarizes our findings.
• Estimating total revenue and workers in the sector.
• "New Visions for Welfare Policy." We argue here that subsidies are economic development.
• "Fill the Gap." This describes the potential impact on the Tompkins County economy if all children eligible for subsidies were able to receive them.
• Other fact sheets developed by the Early Education Partnership:

We have also developed a report and three fact sheets discussing methodology. These materials are designed to help other community groups undertaking similar projects begin to think through the methodological and data choices that such a study entails.

Please contact Mildred Warner at mew15@cornell.edu with questions.

Home