The Child Care for Working Families Act would create federal programs to help pay for child care for eligible children under age 6 who have not started kindergarten. It would also fund provider grants and a free preschool program for 3- and 4-year-olds. The bill would support higher child care worker pay and longer Head Start hours. It was introduced in the Senate and referred to committee; it has not been enacted.
If enacted, families could apply for child care help through their state, territory, or Tribal program. Eligibility would include children whose parents take part in activities such as work, education, job training, or certain types of leave, as well as listed groups of vulnerable children. Families with income at or below 85% of their state’s median income would pay no copayment for covered care. Higher-income families would pay a copayment based on a sliding scale. The bill would also support free preschool for all eligible 3- and 4-year-olds through participating programs.
The bill provides amounts as needed for some programs and specifies other funding. It appropriates $9 billion per year for provider grants for fiscal years 2026 through 2031. It also sets aside $20 billion for local child care and Head Start awards in states that do not join the main program, and $1.3 billion for federal administration and support. For preschool, it provides $20 billion for local grants, along with funds for Tribal programs, territories, migrant and seasonal farmworker communities, and federal support; state payments are funded in amounts needed. Head Start extended-duration grants include $4.833 billion for fiscal year 2026, $852 million for 2027, and $872 million for 2028. The bill also provides $2.7 billion per year for Head Start staff wages beginning in fiscal year 2026.
The bill’s stated goals are to lower child care costs, increase child care quality and supply, support provider stability and staff wages, and expand access to preschool and Head Start services.
No publicly available information.