Arkansas
Working families in Arkansas 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 Arkansas. But too many working families in Arkansas are missing out. As a direct result of child care issues, the Arkansas economy loses millions of dollars each year in the form of lost earnings, productivity, and revenue.
There are 218K children ages 5 and under in Arkansas- 62% of these children have all available parents in the workforce.
The typical annual cost of child care for an infant in Arkansas is around $8,900.
The Child Care and Development Block Grant only reaches 24% of eligible families in Arkansas. (This federal program helps low-income parents afford child care.)
On average, child care providers in Arkansas earn just $27,980 a year; this can make it a challenge to recruit and retain this workforce, leading to supply issues.
Arkansas’s economy loses $793M annually due to child care challenges.
Arkansas: In The Headlines
Child Care: The Missing Piece in Workforce Development?
Arkansas Money and Politics | jANUARY 16, 2025
Child care is not just a personal issue for families; it is a business and economic development issue that directly impacts manufacturers’ bottom lines.
Mapped: Child care costs in Arkansas
Axios NW Arkansas | mAY 29, 2025
The cost of child care in Arkansas is one of the lowest in the nation, but the cost of care for two kids still costs roughly 27% of the median household annual income, according to Census data.
Report: Arkansas pre-K landscape meets most quality standards, still has room for improvement
Arkansas Advocate | aPRIL 29, 2025
Arkansas spends $2,016 less per student and nearly $41 million less overall than what the study considers “adequate”.
Arkansas Resources & News
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