A new federal working group is shaping the future of child care policy—and Tribal voices are at the table. NICCA joins national leaders to ensure Tribal child care systems are represented, respected, and built into the foundation of what comes next.

The Caddo Nation Child Care Center stands as a declaration of resilience and self-determination—combining culturally rooted design, environmental stewardship, and community vision to support Native children and families.

A recording of NCAI and NARF’s “Know Your Rights” webinar is now available. This important session provides guidance for Tribal citizens navigating law enforcement encounters and includes practical steps to stay safe, understand your rights, and access additional legal resources.

At NICCA, we believe every Tribal child care program holds powerful stories of resilience, innovation, and love for Native children. That’s why we created Connecting Our Programs—a national storytelling effort to uplift the voices, experiences, and visions of Tribal child care and early learning leaders.

Prenatal to Five Fiscal Strategies (P5FS) has launched the Home Visiting Cost Model (HVCM)—an interactive tool that helps programs understand the true cost of delivering home visiting services. The model includes customizable options for staffing, training, and benefits, with cost estimates available for all states, territories, and 36 Tribal Nations.

New Mexico is making history as the first state in the nation to offer no-cost universal child care for all families—regardless of income—beginning November 1. This groundbreaking investment will save families an average of $12,000 per child each year and strengthen the early childhood workforce through higher wages, expanded access, and targeted growth for infant and toddler care. By centering equity, community, and sustainability, NM is setting a new national standard for w

NICCA will be at the NCAI 82nd Annual Convention & Marketplace in Seattle, November 16–21, 2025. While there, we invite Tribal child care and early learning leaders to share their stories with us as part of Connecting Our Programs: A Living Resource of Tribal Stories and Strategies. This is your opportunity to uplift your community’s voice, highlight your program’s strengths, and contribute to a resource that celebrates the diversity and resilience of Tribal child care across

This month’s NICCA Member Highlight features the Chickasaw Nation’s School-Age Summer Program, where children built skills in cooking, gardening, and wellness through the Impa’ Kilimpi’ (Strong Food) initiative.

Stay up to date with the latest Child Care in the News.

Stay up to date with the latest Child Care in the News.