Wisconsin
Working families in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin. But too many working families in Wisconsin are missing out. As a direct result of child care issues, the Wisconsin economy loses millions of dollars each year in the form of lost earnings, productivity, and revenue.
There are 390K children ages 5 and under in Wisconsin – 71% of these children have all available parents in the workforce.
The typical annual cost of child care for an infant in Wisconsin is around $13,600.
The Child Care and Development Block Grant only reaches 9% of eligible families in Wisconsin. (This federal program helps low-income parents afford child care.)
On average, child care providers in Wisconsin earn just $22,060 a year; this can make it a challenge to recruit and retain this workforce, leading to supply issues.
Wisconsin’s economy loses $1.9B annually due to child care challenges.
Wisconsin: In The Headlines
Workforce leaders discuss how childcare impacts Wisconsin’s economy
WEAU | September 29, 2025
“The average family in Wisconsin in the most expensive markets is spending 30% of their income for each kid in childcare. If they’re spending 40% on housing, that is not math that works very well.”
Opinion: Investing in Wisconsin’s workforce, building our future
Wis Politics | September 17, 2025
Without affordable, reliable child care, parents can’t stay in the workforce. That’s why I support and we should all support fully funding and sustaining child care programs.
‘Child care desert:’ At Janesville roundtable Baldwin pushes for increased access to affordable child care
Gazette Xtra | aUGUST 25, 2025
U.S. Sen Tammy Baldwin met in Janesville with local leaders, parents and child care advocates at a roundtable discussion hosted by YWCA Rock County.
Wisconsin Resources & News
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