NEEC Updates and Resources

How Much Child Care Can Nashville Actually Supply? Early Findings and Next Steps from the Davidson County Child Care Landscape Study

May 20, 2025

This policy brief shares findings from the Davidson County Child Care Landscape Study, highlighting a disparity between young children and licensed child care slots in Nashville, especially in underserved areas. It emphasizes the need for accurate data on child care availability and provider capacity to guide policy solutions that enhance access and equity for families.

The Frist Foundation Awards $5 Million Grant to Propel Early Education Initiatives in Nashville

February 13, 2025

The Frist Foundation has awarded a $5 million grant to support the work of the recently established Nashville Early Education Coalition (NEEC). The historic investment will empower NEEC’s burgeoning efforts to strengthen and expand access to high-quality early childhood education across the city.

Tennessee child care costs lead the Southeast, report finds

The cost of child care in Tennessee and around the nation is skyrocketing, with a new report finding that it's outpacing overall inflation.

In-Home Child Care Model Gives Parents, Providers a New Option: Raphah Institute’s Early Embrace is one of several initiatives aimed at fixing a strained industry

The Early Embrace program trains Nashville residents to open in-home child care businesses, providing more options for families. Meanwhile, the Nashville Early Education Coalition (NEEC) is pushing for policy reforms and provider support to address the city’s child care crisis. Together, these efforts aim to create sustainable solutions for parents, caregivers, and communities.

Signature Required with Spencer Patton: Fixing the Early Childhood Education Crisis

We talk with TN leaders—business owners, policy experts, educators, and residents—who champion the entrepreneurial spirit and transform once-small ideas into big impact. Melanie Shinbaum, Executive Director of the Nashville Early Education Coalition, joins us to discuss the critical challenges facing early education in Tennessee.

New 29-member Nashville coalition takes aim at the city's child care crisis

A newly launched coalition made up for 29 community partners across Nashville is taking aim at what it calls a child care crisis in Davidson County.

Nashville leaders are joining forces to fight the early childhood education crisis

Government, business and philanthropic institutions are joining forces to embark on a moon mission of fixing Nashville's early childhood education crisis.

TN lawmakers to discuss childcare crisis solutions

Tennessee lawmakers discuss legislation to address the state's childcare crisis, including the proposed Municipalities’ Access To Childcare (M.A.T.C.H.) Fund.

Supporting, disrupting and innovating on America’s child care solutions

Learn how the W.K. Kellogg Foundation is partnering with the U.S. Chamber Foundation to advance and support innovative solutions that address childcare demand in creative ways.

Tennessee to fund employer-sponsored child care with new grant program

Applications are now open for state-funded grants aimed at making child care more accessible in Tennessee. Learn about the demand for early education in TN, and the work being done to meet it.

State Session Round Up: Summer 2024

Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA)'s resource that reflects on legislative and administrative activities involving early child care for the first half of 2024.

Video: Family Voices on Accessing Child Care and Early Education

In this video, parents describe the many factors they consider when looking for child care and early education (CCEE) for their children. Their experiences help bring a multi-dimensional framework of access to CCEE to life.

Early childhood education is a necessity; we must work together to bring it to every child

The Tennessean covers the "Week of the Young Child", which is all about recognizing that the education received in the early childhood years lays a foundation for success.

2024 Ignite! Awards

The 2024 Ignite! Awards featured 121 guests who joined CORE Network Nashville to celebrate excellence in early childhood education.