Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/federal-actions--that-changed-the-face-of-early-care-and-education/5020035/
1911 United States Children’s Bureau created.1932 WPA (Works Progress Administration) paid for nursery schools as a way of providing employment for unemployed teachers.
1940 Congressman Lanham introduced Defense Housing Act (H.R. 10412), Federal support for housing and public works in areas affected by the defense industry. Child care centers were funded under public works. Federally-funded child care under the Lanham Act was provided during war time.
1942 Funds allocated to WPA to reorganize nursery school programs to meet the needs of working mothers in the war industries.
1943 New Lanham Act passed. Rosie the Riveter gets child care.
1945 War ended, Federal funds terminated. California, Massachusetts, and Connecticut continued some State funding.
1951 Korean War. New Defense Housing and Community Facilities and Service Act of 1951 passed, but the Appropriations Committee specifically excluded any funds to be used for child day care services.
1954 Internal Revenue Code amended to permit tax deduction for child care.
1954 Amendment to the Agricultural Act of 1949, which made surplus dairy products available to non-profit schools, nurseries, settlement houses, and child care centers.
1962 New section in the Public Welfare Amendments spelled out permanent Federal sources of funds for child day care. This section also included family child ...