New Nebraska Poll Shows Broad Agreement on Child Care Policy Action

New statewide polling from UpONE Insights, conducted on behalf of the First Five Nebraska  and First Five Years Fund, finds strong bipartisan agreement that child care is a serious challenge for working families in Nebraska. The poll also shows broad support for making child care a priority in state and federal policy.

Nebraskans also recognize child care has a strong connection to the health of the state’s workforce and economy. Voters in the state overwhelmingly believe families should be able to find and afford the child care options that work best for their unique needs. 

As FFYF’s Sarah Rittling said, “Nebraska families are feeling the strain of high child care costs,” said FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling. “Nearly 8 in 10 voters say child care costs are part of the broader affordability crisis facing this country, and half of parents paying for care say it’s keeping them from getting ahead financially. This is the reality for families across Nebraska, and it’s time for lawmakers to act.”

NEBRASKA VOTERS AGREE THERE IS A CHILD CARE PROBLEM

Nebraska voters across party lines overwhelmingly agree that finding and affording quality child care is a serious challenge. 

• 73% of Nebraska voters say the ability to find and afford quality child care is a crisis or major problem, including 62% of Republicans, 68% of Independents, and 90% of Democrats. 

• Nearly 8 in 10 voters say the cost of child care is part of the nation’s broader affordability crisis. 

• Nearly 40% of Nebraskans say they do not have friends or family they can rely on to help with child care 

CHILD CARE COSTS ARE HURTING NEBRASKA FAMILIES

Nebraska voters see child care costs as a significant financial strain on families. 

• Among parents paying for child care, one in four say child care costs prevent them from saving or getting ahead financially, and nearly one-third are cutting back on other household essentials. 

• Child care costs are also shaping decisions about the future: 54% are concerned young families may leave Nebraska or choose not to have children because they cannot find affordable care. 

CHILD CARE IS A WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC ISSUE

• Over half (52%) of Nebraska voters agree that labor shortages throughout the state are in part due to the lack of quality and affordable child care. 

• 70% of voters agree that increasing access to high-quality child care will strengthen Nebraska’s economy and workforce. 

• More than a third (35%) say they or someone they know would consider entering the workforce if quality child care were available, while nearly half (40%) say their own or their  coworkers’ child care challenges affect their workplace.

NEBRASKA VOTERS SUPPORT ACTION AT THE STATE & FEDERAL LEVEL

Voters support state efforts to help working families afford child care, as well as a continued federal role in expanding access to care. 

At the federal level:

• Fully 65% say federal funding for child care and early learning programs for low-income working families is a good investment of taxpayer dollars. 

• 66% believe federal funding for child care should be increased or kept the same. 

• 55% support sending federal child care funding to states through a block grant, allowing states to determine how best to increase access while preserving families’ ability to  choose the care that works for them. 

• And nearly 60% of voters support the Child Care Modernization Act, to strengthen the primary federal child care program. 

• By nearly two to one margin, voters say members of Congress should do whatever it takes to pass child care legislation, even if that means compromising with the other party. 

At the state level:

• Nearly 60% of voters support Nebraska directing increased state funding toward child care. 

• Nebraska voters strongly support using the tax code to help families with young children: 76% support a state child tax credit to help with the cost of raising children, and 74%  support an expanded state tax credit for families with children from birth to age 5. 

• 68% of Nebraska voters say a candidate’s plans to support working families with young children will be important when deciding how to vote for governor. That includes 57% of  Republicans, 59% of independents, and 85% of Democrats.

HEAD START HAS STRONG SUPPORT

Nebraska voters also continue to strongly support Head Start, the federally funded and locally run program that provides early learning, health, and nutrition services to young children from  low-income families. 

• 72% of Nebraska voters support Head Start. 

• 64% oppose eliminating funding for the program. 

BOTTOM LINE

Nebraska voters agree: child care is an affordability issue, a workforce issue, and an important part of ensuring communities can recover and thrive. 

Across party lines, voters recognize that families are struggling to find and afford care, support state and federal investments that help working families access child care, and want  policymakers to work together on solutions.