Childcare Statistics in California:
- One in 6 parents of children ages 0–5 could not find childcare when they needed it for a week or longer in 2023.
- Seven in 10 households with young children ages 0–5 spent $200 or more per week on childcare in 2023.
- The 2023 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) showed that less than half of young children ages 0–5 have regular childcare arrangements.
- Children ages 0 to 5, particularly children of color, have the greatest unmet need for childcare.
AB 2258: Redirection of Unspent Childcare Funds
AB 2258 will redirect unused funds to the Alternative Payment Program (APP), which offers financial assistance for childcare.
The Current Childcare Landscape:
More than 90% of parents say they struggle with childcare availability. When families struggle with childcare, parents may struggle to balance work effectively; in fact, more than 60% of working parents report work issues due to childcare challenges. These work issues can result in lost income due to missed days or even in a decision to become a stay-at-home parent. Parents should stay home because they want to, not because it’s impossible to find consistent and affordable childcare. In California alone, there is an estimated $23 billion annual loss in economic output from childcare issues. APP is funded by the Department of Social Services and offers need-based financial assistance for childcare to qualifying families. Many families rely on this program for affordable childcare. Unfortunately, families can remain on the waitlist for months.
A Solution:
AB 2258 will redirect unspent childcare funds to APP. Every year, millions of dollars in childcare funding go unspent due to administrative and structural barriers. It’s time to spend this money on the Californians who need it most and take families off waitlists. This is the first step towards achieving universal childcare.
Statistics From:
Child Care Among California Households with Young Children Ages 0–5
