Delaware
Working families in Delaware 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 Delaware. But too many working families in Delaware are missing out. As a direct result of child care issues, the Delaware economy loses millions of dollars each year in the form of lost earnings, productivity, and revenue.
There are 65K children ages 5 and under in Delaware – 67% of these children have all available parents in the workforce.
The typical annual cost of child care for an infant in Delaware is around $15,000.
The Child Care and Development Block Grant only reaches 13% of eligible families in Delware. (This federal program helps low-income parents afford child care.)
On average, child care providers in Delaware earn just $28,240 a year; this can make it a challenge to recruit and retain this workforce, leading to supply issues.
Delaware’s economy loses $415M annually due to child care challenges
Delaware: In The Headlines
Survey: Delaware Families Still Struggling with Child Care, Urge Lawmakers to Invest
WGMD | November 13, 2024
A recent survey from a report by Rodel Foundation of Delaware revealed that 92% of Delawareans view childcare funding as a critical priority, with 76% struggling to afford care.
More than $2M awarded to child care efforts in Delaware
Delaware Business Times | July 12, 2024
Seven Delaware-based child care and learning centers were awarded a cumulative $2,171,520 in funding this year through the U.S. Department of Education’s Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) grant.
Struggle for affordable child care persists in Delaware. That’s for parents and providers
Delaware Online | MArch 11, 2024
Middle-income families are struggling to afford child care in Delaware, while providers themselves cite continued burnout, staffing shortages and their own struggle to provide it.
Delaware Resources & News
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