Free child care
Every moment of early childhood development can make a significant impact on a child’s long-term learning. Studies show returns as high as $4 to $9 for every $1 invested in early childhood development. (One estimate showed return as high as $16.) A young child’s introduction into a learning environment improves their social, emotional, and cognitive development. Children enter the school system equipped with language, problem-solving, sharing, and educational skills.
Universal child care programs also provide immense benefit to parents. They know they are giving their child the best chance to learn and succeed as studies show benefits last into high school. Working parents are able to ensure their children are cared for while they earn an income to support their families. Data shows 70 percent of children under the age of 6 have both parents who work.
An estimated 12 million children under the age of 6 receive regular weekly care from center-based care, at home, or with relatives. A 2024 report showed working parents with young children spend up to 24 percent of income on child care. Single parents face an even more daunting task with costs as high as 75 percent of their income. The lack of child care hurts families, businesses, and taxpayers, resulting in billions of lost economic activity.
Matt will fight for universal child care. As a working father with two young sons, Matt is all too familiar with the struggle to secure affordable child care. Quality child care full-time can rival the cost of housing. With two good-paying jobs, he and his wife were only ever able to send one son to child care at a time and only for three days a week. He is determined to expand access for quality child care to every child. For their future and ours.
