Missouri
Working families in Missouri 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 Missouri. But too many working families in Missouri are missing out. As a direct result of child care issues, the Missouri economy loses millions of dollars each year in the form of lost earnings, productivity, and revenue.
In the state, 67% of children have all available parents participating in the workforce, while the average cost of care is $13,780 a year (or $1,148 per month).
More than 16,500 children ages 5 and under have child care costs subsidized through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), or 14% of those eligible. The average copay with a CCDBG subsidy is $115 a month.
14.9K children receive care, learning, nutrition, and other services at no cost through Early Head Start/Head Start (or 13% of those eligible for Early Head Start and 27% of those eligible for Head Start).
And 109.8K working families have the cost of their child care offset through the Child + Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC).
However, many working parents still struggle to access affordable, quality child care, which costs the state’s economy an estimated $2.6 billion each year in lost earnings and productivity.
MISSOURI: In The Headlines
Kansas City parents say child care made all the difference in their life. Finding it was not easy
KCUR | jANUARY 21, 2025
Parents around the Kansas City area said it’s a challenge finding early education programs that fit their budget, schedules and children’s needs.
Missouri Chamber of Commerce says state has a child care crisis
KWOS | January 13, 2026
Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Kara Corches says the child care crisis is costing the state more than $1.35 billion each year.
Southeast Missouri childcare crisis causing challenges for parents, providers
KFVS | October 16, 2025
Child care centers across southeast Missouri are facing staffing shortages, financial strain, and growing demand, forcing families to make difficult decisions about care for their children.
Missouri Resources & News
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