Child care
As Japan prepares to elect Sanae Takaichi as its next prime minister, the country is poised to make history with the first woman to lead the government in centuries. Takaichi, a hard-line conservative, has been a divisive figure in Japan, with some hailing her as a pioneer and others expressing
Legislative bills
Representative Maxine Dexter, a critical care and lung doctor, has introduced the Shielding Students from Wildfire Smoke Act, a bill aimed at strengthening national understanding and response strategies to protect children's health during wildfire smoke events. With Congress still lacking clear policies to protect children in schools and
Legislative bills
Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith announced the approval of $1,000,000 in funding for the Apple Tree Learning Center in Virginia as part of the 2026 appropriations legislation. The funding aims to bring the currently closed childcare center up to safety standards, address the childcare shortage on the
Legislative bills
Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith announced the Senate's approval of $315,000 for the KOOTASCA Community Action's Early Childhood Hub and Community Center in Grand Rapids. The funding, allocated as part of the 2026 appropriations legislation, will be used to replace the deteriorating main
Legislative bills
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has released its 41st annual Legislator Scorecard, which grades lawmakers on their support of major business legislation. The scorecard, based on 12 key policies, found that Republican lawmakers generally aligned with the Chamber's views, with over 50 lawmakers earning a perfect score. However,
City councils
The city of Plymouth is tackling the growing number of children in care and the national shortage of foster carers by introducing a new programme aimed at transitioning children from residential placements to family-based settings. Reconnect, a specialist organisation, will be working with Plymouth City Council to deliver intensive support
City councils
A Plymouth nursery has resigned its registration with Ofsted after multiple concerns were raised about child safety. Seedlings pre-school, located on Hooe Road in Plymstock, had its registration suspended by Ofsted due to concerns that "children may be at risk of harm." The nursery's resignation comes
City councils
Derby City Council is continuing to invest in childcare options for working families, securing a share of the Department for Education's £289 million national funding for wraparound childcare. This expansion will provide more families with access to affordable and reliable childcare from 8am to 6pm during term time,
City councils
Parents with children in Plymouth, UK, are being encouraged to apply for 30 hours of funded childcare as soon as possible, as the government will be extending the 15 hours of working parents funded childcare from September 2025. Eligible working families will receive the increased funding, and parents who have
Child care
Australia's childcare system is at a crossroads, with the traditional model of stay-at-home parenting being increasingly unfeasible due to unaffordable housing and the need for dual incomes. Research from the mid-20th century emphasizes the importance of secure attachment between parents and children for confident, resilient, and happy individuals.
Family
US Senator Angus King, a Maine Independent, has introduced comprehensive legislation to address the nationwide shortage of affordable childcare and lower costs for working families. The Child Care for Working Families Act would provide ample resources to support childcare options that are accessible and affordable for families across the country.
Family
United States Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and other lawmakers have reintroduced the Child Care for Working Families Act, a comprehensive legislation aimed at ensuring families across America can find and afford high-quality child care. The bill seeks to address the rising costs of childcare, which have increased by 29% since
