The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) has launched an initiative to enhance the accessibility and quality of child care across the United States. Responding to a crisis that sees families spending an average of $13,128 annually for child care, the NCSL’s State Child Care Policy Work Group is tackling critical issues including affordability, workforce shortages, and the overall quality of child care services. The financial strain of child care not only affects families but also has significant repercussions for the economy, with estimates indicating that the lack of accessible child care costs the U.S. up to $122 billion each year in lost productivity and revenue.
In a concerted effort to address these challenges, state legislators have introduced nearly 950 bills in 2025 aimed at improving child care systems, marking a 50% surge from the previous year’s legislative activities. This reflects a growing recognition of the urgent need for more effective policies to support families, providers, and employers.
The bipartisan work group consists of 13 legislators from various states, each bringing valuable knowledge and experience in early childhood policy. Their main goal is to create a nonpartisan policy guide that will serve as a robust resource for state legislatures. Members are committed to advocating for high-quality child care systems that are economically viable and equitable.
“Every child deserves access to quality care, and every caregiver deserves respect and resources,” remarked Maryland Delegate Aletheia McCaskill. “This work embodies principles of equity and opportunity, aimed at fostering a stronger future for our children and child care systems.”
The group convened for its initial meeting in June and continued discussions in October, focusing on pivotal topics such as child care financing, governance, and the broader economic implications tied to the child care crisis. Experts from leading institutions provided insights, emphasizing the critical gap between child care supply and demand, as well as the ramifications for both families and the workforce.
The work group’s efforts will culminate in a final in-person meeting in January, with plans to unveil their comprehensive recommendations at the NCSL Legislative Summit in July 2026. Their collaborative approach not only promotes bipartisan dialogue but also seeks to harness the strengths of public, private, and nonprofit sectors in nurturing a child care system that meets the needs of all families.
As the public discourse around child care intensifies, the initiatives undertaken by NCSL and its work group exemplify a proactive approach to ensuring that quality child care becomes a reality for every family, reinforcing the idea that investment in child care is an investment in the future of society.