Each Indiana community is unique in its needs and opportunities. Child Care Answers is here to support you as a resident, leader, employee, or supporter of child care in central Indiana with community resources for child care.
One common thread runs throughout all of Indiana – affordable, high-quality early care and education is essential. Investments in early care and education create sustainable, thriving communities. By bringing leaders, organizations, and employers to the table, we can create scalable, sustainable solutions that benefit families and children for years to come, no matter where you live in Indiana. Covered in this guide:
Early childhood care and education not only affects future academic success. It affects community health, criminal activity, family incomes, and corporate bottom lines too. We have a lot of work to do in central Indiana - but, together, we can make the essential accessible to all.
The first five years of a child’s life are foundational in their development. Enrolment in high-quality early care and education has been shown to improve children’s cognitive and social and emotional skills in the short- to long-term, while also leading to a range of positive education, labor market and social outcomes later in life which correlates to improvements in the areas of K-12 remediation, health care, criminal justice costs, and more. Accessible and affordable quality early care and education creates a two-generational economic impact, allowing parents to participate in the workforce and provide for their families while engaging and educating the next generation workforce.
Brain development
In the first five years of life, children’s brains grow faster than they ever will again. These early experiences shape brain development and set a foundation for a lifetime of learning.
The annual cost of care for one child in central Indiana, at $10,971, is more than a year of IU - Indianapolis college tuition, which comes to $10,760.
47% of central Indiana children who may need child care cannot access any type of regulated child care. This puts many parents who want or need to work in an impossible situation.
Just 40% of central Indiana's regulated child care programs rank as high-quality. Only 41% of children who need care in central Indiana can access high-quality child care.
Boone County Early Learning Coalition: Connecting Boone County families, providers, employers, and the community to improve access to quality early learning
Read success stories from across Indiana where local businesses, policymakers, and community organizations came together to affect change for early childhood education.
While each community in Indiana has slightly different needs, there is a lot to learn from others across the state. Take a peek into the successes and lessons learned for these coalitions that are specifically focused on moving the needle on early care and education issues.
OECD. Reducing Inequalities by Investing in Early Childhood Education and Care. “Mechanisms behind Long-Lasting Effects of Early Childhood Education and Care Policies.” OECD Publishing, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1787/b78f8b25-en
Recent flooding across central Indiana has affected homes, businesses, and child care programs alike. For child care professionals, a flood can mean damaged facilities, disrupted care, and difficult questions about what to do next. We’re here to connect you to information, support, and connections you need to respond, recover, and keep serving children and families. […]
Develop yourself as a professional Meaningful professional development for child care professionals is essential to both advancing your career in early childhood education and boosting your personal growth and development. From introductory sessions to college degrees, ongoing education gives you the knowledge, experience, and confidence to provide the best possible learning experiences for the children […]
On March 3, Governor Mike Braun signed House Bill 1177 into law, marking a win for Indiana businesses and families. This legislation modernizes the employer child care expenditure credit, providing the tools that Hoosier employers need to support their workforce. As an active supporter of HEA 1177, we celebrate this milestone as a step toward […]
Jump start your early childhood career with formal education You might consider pursuing a college degree in early childhood education if you: Plan to start your own child care business Aim to make a career change to the early care and education field Want to deepen your knowledge of child development and early childhood education […]
The 2026 summer camp season is almost upon us! This year has an impressive variety of options, ranging from high-energy sports and equine camps to specialized STEM and multicultural immersion programs. Whether you prioritize a convenient location in your home county or a specific price point, this year’s lineup includes everything from premium enrichment experiences […]
As a child care professional, families may look to you for advice about their child both inside and outside of the classroom. Feel free to use the below information to share with families via newsletters, emails, or other opportunities to support them as caregivers themselves. Indiana 2-1-1 is also an easy way to connect families to local organizations to meet their unique […]
Early childhood credentials and certifications Early childhood credentials and certifications can help you learn more about targeted areas within the field. When you have a credential or certificate, current or potential employers in the early care and education field see you as dedicated to growing in your career. Licensing standards and Paths to QUALITY indicators […]
Sometimes, families may come to your child care program that you are unable to serve, whether due to tuition costs, limited enrollment availability, or because your program is not the best fit for their child or family. Feel free to share the below information with families to support their continued child care journey. Indiana 2-1-1 is also a good place for them to […]
On January 2, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a notice of proposed rule making (NPRM) entitled “Restoring Flexibility in the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF).” The NPRM is open for public comment until February 4. We encourage you to consider the information below and submit a comment to make […]
Invest in Stronger Child Care Financial support of Child Care Answers Your investment in Child Care Answers is an investment in stronger child care across central Indiana. We equip child care professionals, support sustainable child care programs, and bring partners together around solutions that help children, families, employers, and communities thrive. Every gift helps strengthen the early care and education system […]
To say the past six months have been tumultuous for the early education system in Indiana is an understatement. The ever-present issues of staffing, enrollment, and budgeting continue to plague early care and education programs around the state. Recently, new regulations, reduced CCDF reimbursement rates, and reduced supports and resources for child care professionals have […]
As a child care professional, families may look to you for advice about their child both inside and outside of the classroom. Feel free to use the below information to share with families via newsletters, emails, or other opportunities to support them as caregivers themselves. Indiana 2-1-1 is also an easy way to connect families to local organizations to meet their unique needs. […]
The 2026 Indiana General Assembly session kicks off on January 5. With it comes a fresh wave of bills that could shape the future of early childhood education in our state. At Child Care Answers, we believe that staying informed is the first step toward building a stronger community for our children and families. To […]
As a child care professional, families may look to you for advice about their child both inside and outside of the classroom. Feel free to use the below information to share with families via newsletters, emails, or other opportunities to support them as caregivers themselves. Indiana 2-1-1 is also an easy way to connect families to local organizations to meet their unique needs. […]
As a child care professional, families may look to you for advice about their child both inside and outside of the classroom. Feel free to use the below information to share with families via newsletters, emails, or other opportunities to support them as caregivers themselves. Indiana 2-1-1 is also an easy way to connect families to local organizations to meet their unique needs. […]
Your guide to early childhood mental health resources in Hamilton County, Indiana We’re proud to partner with A Healthier Hamilton County: Systems of Care to introduce you to some of the necessary resources to access and navigate behavioral and mental health services. Whether you are a parent of a young child or a child care […]
As a child care professional, families may look to you for advice about their child both inside and outside of the classroom. Feel free to use the below information to share with families via newsletters, emails, or other opportunities to support them as caregivers themselves. Indiana 2-1-1 is also an easy way to connect families to local organizations to meet their unique needs. […]
Sometimes, families may come to your child care program that you are unable to serve, whether due to tuition costs, limited enrollment availability, or because your program is not the best fit for their child or family. Feel free to share the below information with families to support their continued child care journey. Indiana 2-1-1 is also a good place for them […]
Sometimes, families may come to your child care program that you are unable to serve, whether due to tuition costs, limited enrollment availability, or because your program is not the best fit for their child or family. Feel free to share the below information with families to support their continued child care journey. Indiana 2-1-1 is also a good place for them […]
You’ve likely been hearing a lot in the news lately about the crisis surrounding CCDF vouchers and its effect on Hoosier families and child care programs. There are many moving parts and complicated pieces – we hope the below information makes things clearer for you. What is CCDF? Let’s start with the basics. The federal […]
Child Care Answers, United Way of Central Indiana launch new initiative to increase sustainability of family child care homes The Central Indiana Child Care Alliance will support 10 Marion County family child care homes in its first year INDIANAPOLIS – A new initiative from Child Care Answers and United Way of Central Indiana will support […]
Central Indiana Child Care Alliance The Central Indiana Child Care Alliance (“the Alliance”), in partnership with United Way of Central Indiana, supports family child care home programs across central Indiana. This regional shared services initiative gives members access to personalized coaching, business resources, and centralized tools that strengthen their operations, reduce costs and administrative tasks, […]
For nearly 40 years, Child Care Answers (CCA) has walked alongside families, child care professionals, and community partners across central Indiana. Our work is now at a crossroads. With major changes happening in the early care and education system, there is lots of work ahead. As an organization, CCA is prepared and ready to move […]
It’s a deeply bittersweet moment for all of us staff, alumni, board and friends of Child Care Answers as we step into a new chapter of change. While CCA will remain open and committed to its mission, we have had to say goodbye or will bid farewell soon to many beloved colleagues and friends who […]
Support Changes for families of young children It was an honor to serve you last year as you searched for child care for your family or requested connections to broader supports. We know how difficult it can be to navigate the child care system in Indiana, whether you are looking for an opening, applying for […]
CCA’s staff has expertise that runs both deep and wide. We asked staff to tell us about their topic if they had to give a TED talk on short notice. Their answers may surprise you! Lauren, Family Engagement Specialist My go-to for ease would be something focused on infants and toddlers, like safe sleep, you […]
As nonprofit professionals, staff here at CCA wear many hats that often aren’t reflected in our job titles. Read more about some of these under-the-radar talents and skills! Allie, Program Resource Navigator Looking at my job title, others might not think of all the data I do. When it comes to anecdotes and information shared […]
Summer is a great time for road trips! Here are some of the places that our staff love to visit where they can get there on one tank of gas or less. Nashville, Indiana is a favorite among many of us, but there are some unique and interesting options in other nearby towns as well. […]
CCA staff are living up up to our “we grow with you” tagline this summer as we explore new skills and expanded interests. Discover what we’re up to below! Julie, Program Resource Manager I am finally learning to quilt…unsupervised! I come from a family of quilters, and, although I know how to sew, I have […]
Calling all book lovers! We’re taking a trip down memory lane and sharing our favorite childhood reads. Lauren, Family Engagement Specialist My favorite kids’ book, hands down, is Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman. What makes it truly special is remembering watching my husband read it with our daughter when she was a toddler. She […]
