West Virginia
Working families in West Virginia 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 West Virginia. But too many working families in West Virginia are missing out. As a direct result of child care issues, the West Virginia economy loses millions of dollars each year in the form of lost earnings, productivity, and revenue.
There are 109K children ages 5 and under in West Virginia – 56% of these children have all available parents in the workforce.
The typical annual cost of child care for an infant in West Virginia is around $10,000.
The Child Care and Development Block Grant only reaches 27% of eligible families in West Virginia. (This federal program helps low-income parents afford child care.)
On average, child care providers in West Virginia earn just $22,060 a year; this can make it a challenge to recruit and retain this workforce, leading to supply issues.
West Virginia’s economy loses $464M annually due to child care challenges.
West Virginia: In The Headlines
Opinion: The critical role of child care in economic and community development and the challenges facing West Virginia
The Jackson Star & Herald | January 21, 2026
Child care sits at the crossroads of economic growth, community stability, early childhood education, and family well‑being.
West Virginia ranks 2nd nationally in federal child care subsidies
WTAP | January 12, 2026
West Virginia receives the second-highest federal childcare subsidies per child in the nation, while neighboring Ohio falls in the bottom half of states, according to a new study released Monday.
Lack of affordable child care options an economic roadblock for WV families
WVNS | January 21, 2026
Many parents in southern West Virginia have said they struggle to secure adequate care for their children.
West Virginia Resources & News
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FFYF Analysis of 2024 State of the State Addresses
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New Rural Child Care Policy Framework
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FFYF’S 2023 State Fact Sheets
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The First Five Things To Know About: A New Poll Showing Voter Support For Child Care Funding
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The First Five Things To Know About: A New Poll Showing West Virginia Voter Support For Child Care Funding
In July 2023, Public Opinion Strategies completed a poll on behalf of the First Five Years Fund, examining West Virginia voters’ attitudes toward the issue of child care and early …
New 50 State Analysis Shows Impact of Federal Child Care Program
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West Virginia: Voter Support for Child Care Rivals Drug Pricing, Climate & Energy in Reconciliation
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2021 State Fact Sheets: Examining the Impact and Unmet Need of Federal & State ECE Funding
FFYF has released the latest iteration of its annual state fact sheets, which draw on numerous data sources to offer details about the early childhood opportunities in each state made …
West Virginia — Federal Support for Early Learning & Care Opportunities
High-quality early childhood education is proven to dramatically improve a child’s opportunities for a better future—particularly children from low-income families—while offering parents improved job stability and overall economic security. To …
FFYF Releases State Fact Sheets, Highlighting Unique Local Landscapes
This summer, FFYF released updated state fact sheets, which draw on numerous data sources to offer details about the early childhood opportunities in each state made possible through federal and state …
West Virginia: Federal Support for Early Learning & Care Opportunities
High-quality early childhood education is proven to dramatically improve a child’s opportunities for a better future—particularly children from low-income families—while offering parents improved job stability and overall economic security. To …
Updated Fact Sheets Show Opportunities for States
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West Virginia: Federal Support for Early Learning & Care Opportunities
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