Child Care for Working Families Act

This bill aims to make child care more affordable and easier to find, while improving quality. States would cap family payments on a sliding scale: families under 85% of state median income pay no copay; above that, copays rise gradually and top out at 7% of income. Providers getting public funds could not charge families more than the copay plus the public subsidy. Once a child qualifies, help lasts at least 12 months to reduce churn. States must focus on underserved groups, like infants and toddlers, children with disabilities, kids experiencing homelessness, foster/kinship care, and those needing care during nontraditional hours. States would set payment rates using real cost studies, build a quality rating system, and help all providers move up in quality over time .

The bill also funds free, high‑quality, inclusive preschool for all children, with at least 1,020 hours a year. Staff pay must match elementary school pay (or at least provide a living wage), and lead preschool teachers generally must have a bachelor’s in early childhood within six years, with exceptions for experienced staff. Federal payments to states would run 2026–2031, covering most costs at first and then tapering. Head Start programs could expand to a full school day and year, and there is dedicated funding to raise Head Start wages to be comparable to elementary educators or at least a living wage. Tribes, territories, and migrant/seasonal farmworker communities are included in funding and supports .

Key points

• Who is affected: Families with young children; child care providers and preschool programs; Head Start staff; Tribes and territories; underserved communities (infants/toddlers, children with disabilities, dual language learners, children experiencing homelessness, foster/kinship care) .
• What changes:
  • Family costs: Sliding‑scale copays up to 7% of income; no extra charges beyond subsidy + copay; 12‑month continuous eligibility .
  • Supply/quality: Grants to expand slots, improve facilities, support training, and raise wages; state quality rating systems; payment rates based on true costs .
  • Preschool: Free, inclusive programs statewide; at least 1,020 hours/year; salary parity and degree standards for teachers; protect infant/toddler care stability .
  • Head Start: Move to full school day/year; funds to raise wages to elementary‑level or a living wage .
• When: Major state funding and requirements phase in from 2026 through 2031, with federal cost‑sharing highest early on and then decreasing .