Alaska
Working families in Alaska need accessible, affordable, quality child care and early learning opportunities for their children.
Currently, federal and state early learning programs reach thousands of young children and their families in Alaska. But too many working families in Alaska are missing out. As a direct result of child care issues, the Alaska economy loses millions of dollars each year in the form of lost earnings, productivity, and revenue.
In the state, 60% of children have all available parents participating in the workforce, while the average cost of care is $12,107 a year (or $1,009 per month).
More than 1,500 children ages 5 and under have child care costs subsidized through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), or 13% of those eligible. The average copay with a CCDBG subsidy is $557 a month.
2.5K children receive care, learning, nutrition, and other services at no cost through Early Head Start/Head Start (or 16% of those eligible for Early Head Start and 41% of those eligible for Head Start).
And 9.9K working families have the cost of their child care offset through the Child + Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC).
However, many working parents still struggle to access affordable, quality child care, which costs the state’s economy an estimated $344 million each year in lost earnings and productivity.
Alaska: In The Headlines
Opinion: When child care funding disappears, so do Alaska’s foster families
Anchorage Daily News | February 23, 2026
Alaska’s high cost of living and limited access to affordable child care already place significant strain on foster families.
In Haines, child care and housing shortages are forcing some younger residents to leave
Alaska Public Media | jULY 24, 2025
A recent survey of Haines residents under 40 highlights growing concerns about the community’s ability to support young families, with many citing the lack of accessible child care as a major barrier to building a life in the area.
The need for reliable child care in Alaska
Alaska Public Media | February 10, 2026
Finding affordable child care in Alaska is tough. Rising costs, long waitlists and staffing challenges mean families don’t have a lot of options.
Alaska Resources & News
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