Support Care Workers Across Ohio
Every child in Ohio deserves quality early education, no matter their family’s income. Childcare workers are vital to supporting our kids and working families, but they often face low pay, poor benefits, and challenging working conditions. This leads to staff staff shortages and affects the care families rely on.
Early education centers should have skilled teachers to give children a strong start for success and the foundation they need for lifelong learning.
Our Budget Priorities
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Help childcare providers make ends meet and plan for the long term by reimbursing them based on enrollment, not attendance, as required by the federal Administration for Children and Families.
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Help more families afford high-quality childcare by expanding Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) to cover families making under 300% of the Federal Poverty Level ($77,460 for a family of three in 2024).
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Cap co-pays for PFCC families at 7% of their income to make childcare more affordable.
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Reimbursing childcare providers at the 75th percentile of the market rate to ensure sustainability and quality care.
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Create a new funding model based on the actual cost of care, including a $20 minimum wage for childcare workers, developed with input from providers and parents.
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Make childcare free for early childhood educators and other employees of childcare facilities to support the workforce.
