New National Poll Shows Strong Bipartisan Support for Federal Child Care Programs

New national polling shows voters continue to worry about the ability of working parents to find and afford child care. The national survey, conducted by UpOne Insight on behalf of the First Five Years Fund from January 13–18, 2026, also found that majorities across all key demographic groups express support for federal child care programs that helps families afford care. Key findings include: 

• Parents need help: 80% of voters say the ability of working parents to find child care is either in a state of crisis or a major problem.
  
• This is an affordability issue: 82% believe federal child care funding will help lower costs for working families — including 69% of Republicans, 84% of Independents, and 94% of Democrats.
  
• And there continues to be strong support (62%) for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), a federal program that makes it possible for hundreds of thousands of families to afford safe, quality care for their children while parents work or go to school, including a majority of Republicans, 63% of Independents and 72% of Democrats.
  
• Support for funding child care programs remains strong: 75% believe child care funding should be increased or kept at current levels — including 75% of Republicans, 85% of Independents, and 97% of Democrats.
  
• 74% say funding for child care is an important and good use of tax dollars, including a majority of Republicans, three-quarters of Independents, and nine in ten Democrats.
  

FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling released the following statement:

“Voters across the country are sending a clear message: federal child care and early learning programs work. These investments help parents stay in the workforce, strengthen families, and support healthy child development. They have also long had strong bipartisan support in Congress. At a time when affordability is top of mind for families, continued federal funding is essential to ensure child care remains accessible and within reach for working families.”

Reflecting the history of strong bipartisan support for federal child care programs from both voters and Congress, FFYF’s political arm, First Five Action, is launching an initial $500,000 advertising campaign across cable and digital platforms. The effort includes a six-figure cable television  buy in Washington, D.C., along with targeted in-state and in-district outreach designed to amplify widespread public support and highlight the positive impact federal child care programs have on working families with young children.

The campaign includes:

• Six-figure cable TV buy targeting Washington, D.C.
• Statewide direct mail campaign mobilizing GOP primary voters
• Six-figure statewide digital ad campaign, including social media and streaming service ads, highlighting how CCDBG makes child care more affordable and accessible for working families
• Ad here

**Full polling memo and deck coming soon**