Waiting Lists for Child Care Assistance Nearly Doubled

June 12, 2026

The National Women's Law Center's annual report reveals a dramatic surge in children waiting for federally funded child care assistance, with numbers nearly doubling from 2024 to 2025 and continuing to climb. The crisis stems from the expiration of tens of billions in federal child care funding in 2023-2024, which has severely strained an already vulnerable system. By February 2025, approximately 225,500 children were on waiting lists across 17 states, representing a 90 percent increase from the previous year.

Who is affected

Children needing federally funded child care assistance (225,500 on waiting lists by February 2025, with 175,000+ more added by summer/fall 2025)
Families in 17 states with waiting lists or intake freezes
Early educators in the child care sector
State lawmakers, advocates, and policymakers who use the report data

What action is being taken

The National Women's Law Center is releasing its annual State Child Care Assistance Policies report
The report is tracking state child care assistance policies
States are placing families on waiting lists or freezing intake for child care assistance

Why it matters

This represents a critical failure in supporting working families and early childhood development. The dramatic increase in waiting lists demonstrates that an already fragile child care system has been pushed to the brink following the expiration of crucial federal funding. Without accessible, affordable child care, families struggle to maintain employment and children lose access to early education opportunities that are essential for their development.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint