Idaho
Working families in Idaho 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 Idaho. But too many working families in Idaho are missing out. As a direct result of child care issues, the Idaho economy loses millions of dollars each year in the form of lost earnings, productivity, and revenue.
There are 137K children ages 5 and under in Idaho – 57% of these children have all available parents in the workforce.
The typical annual cost of child care for an infant in Idaho is around $10,000.
The Child Care and Development Block Grant only reaches 15% of eligible families in Idaho. (This federal program helps low-income parents afford child care.)
On average, child care providers in Idaho earn just $28,510 a year; this can make it a challenge to recruit and retain this workforce, leading to supply issues.
Idaho’s economy loses $525M annually due to child care challenges
Idaho: In The Headlines
Child care costs far exceed affordability for Idaho families
Idaho News | January 21, 2026
Child care expenses have become increasingly burdensome for families, with LendingTree research highlighting the financial strain.
Opinion: Idaho’s kindergarten readiness and workforce challenges share the same root — and the same solution
Idaho Ed News | February 26, 2026
Too many Idaho families lack access to the early care and learning resources their children need.
Idaho ranks last for kindergarten-ready skills, parent survey finds
Idaho Ed News | February 5, 2026
Idaho’s 3- to 5-year-olds rank last in the nation for early learning skills needed to be ready for kindergarten, according to data recently released from the National Survey of Children’s Health.
Idaho Resources & News
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