Early Childhood and K-12 Education
The students of today are the employees of tomorrow, and they need the skills to thrive in the 21st century global economy and beyond. Our education initiatives unite business, policy, and community leaders and stakeholders to develop solutions in early childhood and K-12 education.
Our early childhood education initiatives address a two-generation workforce challenge: supporting today's workforce and preparing tomorrow's workforce.
The K-12 education system of today leaves too many students underprepared for the careers ahead of them. We’re dedicated to closing achievement gaps, promoting standards-driven approaches, and connecting all students to a successful future.
Important Links
- Untapped Potential: Economic Impact of Childcare Breakdowns in the U.S.
- Business Leads Fellowship Program
- The Childcare Roadmap for Employers
- Future of Data in K-12 Education
- The Drumbeat Interview Series
- Continuing the Conversation
- States Continue to Lead on Childcare Innovation: 2025 Update on Public-Private Partnerships
At the U.S. Chamber Foundation, we are committed to advancing solutions that ensure every child has access to quality early education. Investing in early childhood education is essential for building a skilled and competitive workforce, driving innovation, and fostering economic growth.— Aaron Merchen, Senior Director, Early Childhood Education
Programs and Initiatives
Solutions Bank
Our latest pilot is an AI-powered platform that provides business leaders with a curated repository of real-world, proven solutions to complex challenges, starting with childcare.
Game Plan: Leveraging Federal Tax Incentives for Business Childcare Solutions
Download our Game Plan to leverage the enhanced 45F Employer-Provided Child Care Tax Credit. Learn key 2026 changes, pooled small-business models, allowable expenses, and intermediary support to attract talent, cut turnover, and simplify compliance with Form 8882.
Stay Connected
Get updates on Early Childhood Education News including the ECE Quarterly Newsletter.
The Childcare Roadmap for Employers
The U.S. Chamber Foundation has developed Childcare Roadmap Videos to provide a visual representation of the Employer Roadmap: Childcare Solutions for Working Parents. This roadmap is for senior leaders to understand what options are available to address childcare needs for working parents, primarily those working shifts during non-traditional hours.
Future of Data in K-12 Education: A Comprehensive Analysis
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation released new research that examines the impact of data-driven accountability education policy over the last 20 years and sets the stage for concrete recommendations for the federal role in education.
Latest Content
- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation today released a report examining the impact of childcare issues on Idaho’s state economy. The study found that Idaho loses an estimated $479 million annually for the state’s economy. This number includes an estimated $65 million annual loss in tax revenue as well as an estimated annual loss to Idaho’s employers of $414 million on absences and employee turnover as a result of childcare breakdowns.Billion Dollar Problem: Working Parents Leave Workforce, Postpone School Due to Childcare ChallengesBuilding on the work of other states, we partnered with the business communities in Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania and their early education partners to understand just how much breakdowns in childcare cost each state. In this study we looked at the causes of childcare challenges as well as motivations behind why parents select various childcare providers. Knowing many employers want to facilitate more access to childcare but do not know where to begin, we sought to learn what types of childcare benefits working parents desire most from employers.The Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce was uniquely positioned to coordinate and lead a cross-sector collaboration to measure and begin to solve the childcare challenges in their region.To better understand the need and childcare challenges that currently exist, The San Diego Foundation partnered with San Diego Workforce Partnership and the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce to commission two new reports that outline the regional landscape surrounding early childhood care and the economy.This report brings together data, research, and lessons learned to guide the development of successful and lasting partnerships between the business and early childhood education communities. In surveys, focus groups, and interviews, we asked business leaders and early education advocates about what compels them to action. Our recommendations are grounded in that qualitative and quantitative research.The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation today announced the launch of an advanced track for its Business Leads Fellowship Program called the Elite Cohort. This invitation-only program will focus on how Fellows can elevate education and workforce initiatives, navigate change, and learn best practices in program management.With a strong commitment to invest in the resources that will ensure success, Collins Aerospace has partnered strategically in Iowa to grow a grassroots early childhood education initiative over time into the Collins Aerospace Day Academy, providing high-quality childcare and early education support to its employees and, when possible, the broader community.To inspire other companies to create STEM career pathways for young girls, Abbott has implemented a successful high school STEM internship program and published the key to it, a detailed blueprint, so any company in any STEM industry can recreate the model.To better understand the impact of childcare issues for working parents and the Washington state economy, the Washington State Child Care Collaborative Task Force and partners commissioned a 2019 survey of Washington parents by Elway Research and an economic impact analysis by Eastern Washington University’s Institute for Public Policy and Economic Analysis.San Mateo County had a childcare shortage crisis limiting economic opportunities for families and access to education for the county's children. Using data to position early childhood education and care as an infrastructure challenge, Build Up SMC is growing and improving the supply of childcare and early learning programs through advocacy, strategic partnerships, and making childcare and early learning conversations a priority.
