Getting Smart Podcast Is It Time to Recognize Childcare as a Public Right? | Elliot Haspel
Dec 3, 2025
Elliot Haspel, a child and family policy expert and author, dives deep into the urgent need for recognizing childcare as a public right. He discusses the significant impact of early childhood care on brain development and why it's crucial for society as a whole. Haspel emphasizes the hidden costs families face and argues for a mixed-delivery childcare system that is accessible to all. He also shares insights on how to build support among non-parents, linking childcare to broader community benefits and advocating for a tax-funded model akin to public education.
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Missed Early Literacy Red Flags
- Elliot Haspel recalls a fourth-grade student who couldn't read a kindergarten sentence despite being passed through grades.
- He used the story to show missed early intervention opportunities that begin well before elementary school.
Care Relationships Drive Early Brain Development
- Early brain development depends on ongoing care relationships, not just formal schooling.
- High turnover and lack of stable caregivers undermine language, safety, and attachment needed for learning.
Funding Gap Explains Childcare Fragility
- The childcare system is scarce, expensive for families, and pays educators poorly, averaging around $15/hour.
- Public funding per early-childhood child (
$1,500) vastly lags K-12 ($17,000), causing systemic collapse if left unaddressed.
