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.
There are 59K children ages 5 and under in Alaska – 62% of these children have all available parents in the workforce.
The typical annual cost of child care for an infant in Alaska is around $12,000.
The Child Care and Development Block Grant only reaches 13% of eligible families in Alaska. (This federal program helps low-income parents afford child care.)
On average, child care providers in Alaska earn just $35,950 a year; this can make it a challenge to recruit and retain this workforce, leading to supply issues.
Alaska’s economy loses $305M annually due to child care challenges.
Alaska: In The Headlines
Letter: The erosion of education and child care is pushing Alaska families out
Anchorage Daily News | June 1, 2024
Our young people need support to access education, child care, and all the other opportunities Alaska provides.
A shortage of child care options on the central peninsula
KDLL | October 14, 2024
According to the Alaska Childcare Market Price Survey Report, the average cost of childcare in the state is $850 a month. This may lead some parents to choose between their career and their child.
Opinion: To prevent abuse and neglect, support child care providers
Homer News | April 24, 2025
Access to child care eases family stress, giving parents a much-needed break and enabling them to pursue work or schooling to better their families’ lives.
Alaska Resources & News
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