Excerpts
This aligns with the growing “affordability anxiety” which is especially acute for parents of young children, as child care is one of the most significant and unavoidable household expenses. These concerns also underscore the importance of stable federal investments, with programs like CCDBG and Head Start serving as a key foundation for family economic stability and workforce participation.
With average annual costs exceeding $13,000 per child, child care places real pressure on family budgets and is often a deciding factor in whether parents can work, pay their bills, and remain economically stable. Governors in both parties framed child care through this economic lens, tailoring their messages to address deep concerns about costs and financial security.
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Key Themes
- Lowering costs / affordability: 54% focused on the high price of child care and the need to reduce the financial burden on families.
- Tax relief: 42% proposed or highlighted tax credits and related policies to help offset child care and family costs.
- Workforce participation & the economy: Over one-third emphasized that expanding access to child care is one of the most effective ways to help parents enter or return to the workforce and strengthen the economy.
- Expanding access and supply: About one in five (21%) discussed increasing the number of child care slots so more families can find care.
- Supporting the workforce: Nearly one in five (17%) focused on strengthening the child care workforce.
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