Alexandra R. Patterson

Director of Policy and Strategy

Alexandra R. Patterson is the Director of Policy and Strategy at Home Grown. Her work focuses on policy solutions that  equitably distribute resources to home based child care providers  and strengths based frameworks for understanding quality in home based child care settings. Her passion for early childhood is driven by a centering belief in access to quality education for all as a social justice issue.

Articles by Alexandra R. Patterson

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Inspirando la pasión por la naturaleza a través del juego en el cuidado infantil en el hogar

Los educadores de la primera infancia, incluyendo a los proveedores de cuidado infantil a domicilio, en todo el país están explorando maneras de dar vida al mundo natural como aula para los niños. Hablamos con tres proveedores que compartieron cómo incorporan el juego basado en la naturaleza en sus programas.
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Inspiring A Passion for Nature Through Play in Home-based Child Care

Early childhood educators, including home-based child care providers, around the nation are exploring ways to bring the natural world to life as a classroom for children. We spoke with three providers who shared how they incorporate nature-based play in their programs.
Colorful cubes, paints, pencils, blocks, modeling clay on orange background. Interesting math, games for preschool for kids. Education, back to school concept

La deuda por préstamos estudiantiles es un factor crítico en la crisis de compensación de los educadores de la primera infancia

Los proveedores de cuidado infantil a domicilio ganan los salarios más bajos del sistema y, a menudo, quedan excluidos de las discusiones sobre políticas y los programas de condonación de préstamos, lo que contribuye a la continua presión financiera. Esta nueva hoja informativa arroja luz sobre los desafíos salariales de los proveedores de cuidado infantil familiar.
Colorful cubes, paints, pencils, blocks, modeling clay on orange background. Interesting math, games for preschool for kids. Education, back to school concept

Student Loan Debt Is a Critical Factor in the Early Educator Compensation Crisis 

Home-based providers earn the lowest wages in the child care system and they are often left out of policy discussions and loan forgiveness programs, contributing to ongoing financial strain. This new fact sheet sheds light on the earning challenges for family child care providers.
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Home Grown’s Statement on the Council of Economic Advisers Brief: Child Care Is Infrastructure—Evidence from Universal Pre-K

Home Grown celebrates the new Council of Economic Advisers brief, "Child Care Is Infrastructure: Evidence from Universal Pre-K." We are excited to be working with NIEER this fall to support a cohort of public pre-K systems with targeted TA and evidence-based tools to modify their pre-K systems to include FCC.
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Parents Choose Quality When They Use Family, Friend and Neighbor Care

This blog dives into the value of family, friend and neighbor care for parents and children around the U.S. while calling for inclusion of FFN care in policy, resources and supports.
Colorful cubes, paints, pencils, blocks, modeling clay on orange background. Interesting math, games for preschool for kids. Education, back to school concept

Home Grown’s Comments on NPRM and CCDF Preprint Plan

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Tesoros ocultos: Celebrando y apoyando el cuidado infantil familiar en los sistemas preescolares

Incluir a los proveedores de cuidado infantil familiar en los sistemas preescolares ayuda a proveedores como Sylvia a garantizar que los niños pequeños reciban experiencias de aprendizaje temprano de calidad.
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Hidden Treasures: Celebrating and Supporting Family Child Care in Pre-K Systems

Including family child care providers in pre-K systems supports providers like, Sylvia, in ensuring young children receive quality early learning experiences.
Colorful cubes, paints, pencils, blocks, modeling clay on orange background. Interesting math, games for preschool for kids. Education, back to school concept

Home Grown’s Response to the White House Student Loan Forgiveness Announcement

Learn more about the White House Student Loan Forgiveness plan's potential to impact early childhood workers.
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Public Service Loan Forgiveness for Home-Based Child Care Providers

Nearly 20% of home-based child care providers carry student loan debt, but they were excluded from the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.