Kerry, Crowley Legislation would Expand Access to Affordable Child Care

Press Release

Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) today introduced the Children First Act to increase access to stable and affordable child care for low-income families. Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.) introduced the companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

"It shouldn't be a luxury for a parent to know their kids are safe while they're at work," Senator Kerry said. "A choice between no child care and affordable care that is subpar is a choice that no parent should have to make. But with the cost of day care running more than a year of college -- it's a choice many families are facing."

"For many parents, the skyrocketing costs of child care place a significant burden on family budgets that are already stretched thin," said Rep. Crowley. "Working parents shouldn't be forced into a corner when it comes to ensuring their children are cared for during the day. That's why I am pleased to join Senator Kerry in the effort to help more families access affordable, quality and reliable child care."

The Children First Act would increase mandatory funding for child care by $500 million for fiscal year 2012, $700 million in 2013, and $750 million in 2014 thru 2021, resulting in an increase of $7.2 billion over ten years.

This increased funding would allow approximately 212,000 more children to have access to safe and affordable child care.

The Children First Act will greatly benefit Massachusetts, which currently has approximately 24,000 children on a waitlist for child care subsidies. The high cost of child care is the most significant issue facing families currently on the waitlist in Massachusetts. Massachusetts families pay more on average than families in all other states for child care, with the average price of full time care in center based settings totaling $18,773 for an infant and $13,158 for a preschooler.

Child care consumes a large portion of family budgets nationwide, and can range from $4,560 to $18,773 annually for full-time care depending on where the family lives, the type of care, and the age of the child. Child care prices are higher than other household expenses and typically exceed the average amount families spend on food. In 39 states and the District of Columbia, the average annual price for child care for an infant in a child care center is higher than a year's tuition at a four-year public college.

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