FFYF State Fact Sheets: Child Care and Early Learning, 2026

Reliable, affordable child care is essential for working families, employers, and the economy. It enables parents to work or pursue education, gives children a strong start, and helps businesses build a stable workforce. Yet in every state, too many families struggle to find and afford the care they need.

FFYF’s 2026 State Fact Sheets on child care and early learning provide state-by-state data for all 50 states and Washington, DC, showing how federal and state investments support families, young children, and local economies. They also highlight where significant gaps remain.

Each fact sheet has data including:

• Enrollment and eligibility
• Average child care costs
• Unmet need
• Federal and state funding levels
• Economic impact
• And more

Our analysis found that nationally:

• 65% of children ages five and under have all available parents in the workforce.
• In 20 states, families receiving CCDBG assistance on average save more than $1,000 per month on child care costs.
• In 34 states, federal dollars account for at least two-thirds of combined federal and state public funding for child care and early learning programs, underscoring the critical role federal investments play in supporting state child care systems. 

Find your state below!