Oklahoma
Working families in Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma. But too many working families in Oklahoma are missing out. As a direct result of child care issues, the Oklahoma economy loses millions of dollars each year in the form of lost earnings, productivity, and revenue.
There are 300K children ages 5 and under in Oklahoma – 60% of these children have all available parents in the workforce.
The typical annual cost of child care for an infant in Oklahoma is around $10,000.
The Child Care and Development Block Grant only reaches 25% of eligible families in Oklahoma. (This federal program helps low-income parents afford child care.)
On average, child care providers in Oklahoma earn just $25,890 a year; this can make it a challenge to recruit and retain this workforce, leading to supply issues.
Oklahoma’s economy loses $1.2B annually due to child care challenges.
Oklahoma: In The Headlines
Editorial: Child care still an issue in Oklahoma
Enid News and Eagle | nOVEMBER 13, 2024
Available child care — or the lack of it — continues to be a big issue in Oklahoma. Recently, we’ve seem one troubling situation, as well as one outstanding effort to address the problem.
Shortage of childcare felt across Oklahoma
KOCO | November 14, 2024
A shortage of childcare in Oklahoma comes down to basic supply and demand, more children needing care than caregivers and facilities can handle.
Oklahoma Families Struggle To Find Child Care Amid Shortages And Rising Costs
News 9 | aUGUST 21, 2024
According to the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness, there is already a shortage of licensed, quality child care across the state.
Oklahoma Resources & News
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