New Report Shows Nearly Half of All Young Children Live in Child Care Deserts

Access to child care plays a key role in supporting parent workforce participation and the healthy growth and development of children. Yet for far too many families, this essential support is out of reach. Families across the nation find themselves living in child care deserts—areas where there are three or more children, aged five and under, per licensed child care slot. Without enough slots, children are unable to receive the care they need, and parents are forced to make difficult decisions that may cause them to leave the workforce or settle for child care that does not align with their needs and preferences. 

The Center for American Progress (CAP) recently released a report updating their data on the current state of our nation’s child care supply, as well as a map that provides a visual representation of child care deserts across the country. The report reveals that while overall access is marginally improving, it has worsened in rural communities. 

Some key findings from the report are listed below. For CAP’s full analysis and policy recommendations, click here.

Key Findings

• Nationally, in 2025, 46% of children ages five and under lived in a licensed child care desert, a slight improvement compared to 51% in 2018. 
• In rural communities, this trend is moving backwards. In 2025, the number of children ages five and under living in child care deserts rose to over 70%, up from around 66% in 2018.
• The prevalence of licensed child care deserts varies significantly from state to state with the extremes being:
  • Highest rates of child care deserts: Idaho (83%), Hawaii (95%), and Alaska (96%).
  • Lowest rates of child care deserts: Washington D.C. (5%), Massachusetts (21%), and New Jersey and Nebraska (25%).

In line with these findings, FFYF has found that at current funding levels, federal early learning programs serve only a small fraction of eligible families. FFYF polling underscores that voters recognize this gap in access and support meaningful solutions and investments. This support is nationwide, including amongst rural voters who feel the weight of this issue the heaviest. 

FFYF Polling on All Voters

• Four out of five rural Americans say the ability of working parents to find and afford quality child care is either in a state of crisis or a major problem.
• Over two-thirds (69%) of rural Americans say federal funding for child care and early learning programs is a good investment of taxpayer money, and a strong majority (55%) would like to see that funding increase.

FFYF Polling on Rural Americans

• 80% of voters say the ability of working parents to find and afford child care is either in a state of crisis or a major problem. 
• 75% of voters believe child care funding should be increased or kept at current levels. 

Bottom Line

The current supply of child care is not sufficient to support the needs of families who deserve quality care. This is especially true in rural communities where one in five parents are struggling to find or keep a job or cutting back on basic necessities due to child care challenges. Robust federal investment for child care programs is necessary to support financial stability for families, healthy development for children, and to strengthen our economy overall.

Questions? Contact Holly Evans at hevans@ffyf.org