Child Care Advocacy

At Metro United Way, we believe every child deserves access to safe, high-quality, and affordable child care. And no one knows the importance of this more than parents. You are the most powerful advocates for creating a child care system that truly works for Kentucky families.

Access to affordable, reliable child care has become one of the most urgent issues facing families, employers, and policymakers alike. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and amplified cracks in our child care system, placing this issue at the center of bipartisan debates on family stability, economic growth, and educational outcomes.

Despite Kentucky’s economic progress and growing opportunities, Kentucky children and families face challenges because they are not able to access high-quality, affordable childcare. Less than half of Kentucky’s children enter kindergarten ready to learn, and Kentucky ranks 44th in the nation for workforce participation. These challenges hold back families and slow our economy.

High-quality child care is part of the solution

  • Children in high-quality early learning programs show stronger math, reading, and language skills by age 5 compared to their peers without access.
  • Kids who attend formal child care enter kindergarten better prepared, setting them up for long-term success.
  • Studies show that these early investments lead to higher earnings, more education, better health, and reduced involvement in the justice system later in life with a return of $7.30 for every $1 invested in early learning.

For parents, access to affordable child care means economic freedom.

  • Nationally, 1 in 3 parents of young children say child care challenges impacted their ability to stay in the workforce.
  • Modestly improving access to affordable child care could increase maternal employment by as much as 11%, with the greatest benefit for single mothers.

This is your moment to speak up and help shape the future of child care in Kentucky. By raising your voice and sharing your story, you can help ensure that every family has access to the supports they need to get ahead.

 

Why Parent Voices Matter

 

No one understands the challenges of finding and affording quality child care like parents do. When you share your story, contact your elected officials, or join other families in action, you help decision-makers see the real impact of child care policies on working families.

How You Can Get Involved

 

Stay Informed

For more information on Kentucky’s child care challenges, check out some of the resources below.

Share Your Story and Take Action

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