Giving Compass' Take:

• Since many parents rely on friends and family to care for their children, some local governments have sought to train these informal early childhood care providers. 

• What role can donors play in expanding training for informal providers? What are some of the obstacles?

• Read about the importance of early childhood care and education. 

Years of research show that how children spend their time before kindergarten matters, especially for kids from lower-income homes. The early education they get can alter the outcome of their lives.

But many parents can't afford high-quality child care and don't have access to preschool. With the price of child care so high, ranging from $200 to $580 a week, more parents are believed to be relying on family and friends to watch their kids while they work.

According to a 2016 survey, nearly a third (28 percent) of babies spend at least 10 hours a week in the care of a family member, friend or neighbor, which is referred to as FFN care.

As the "gig economy" grows, more and more people have atypical schedules that fall outside the hours of traditional child care.

Facing that reality, some local governments are starting to seek out and help these informal providers.

Licensed providers are trained to monitor children's development, including their behavior and whether they're hitting "milestones" like walking and speaking. Child-care training requirements vary by state, but they usually include at least a dozen hours of courses in the first year and continuing education.

Minneapolis -- where an estimated 70 percent of kids are in FFN care -- has been leading on this issue, working on initiatives to expand the knowledge of informal providers. The city is currently developing The Child Care Providers Network, an online portal that gives FFN providers access to evidence-based curriculum on child development. It will also include information on legislation that might impact them, upcoming trainings, immunization requirements and resources for becoming a licensed at-home provider.

Read the full article about investment in early childhood care by Mattie Quinn at Governing Magazine.