Childcare/Pre-K

Utah families face significant challenges navigating the childcare landscape with issues related to accessibility, affordability, and quality complicating the very personal and critical decisions families face. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has identified a ‘market failure’ in the childcare sector, indicating a disconnect between the current services and what’s in the best interest of children and families. The child care industry operates as a private market where the cost for both consumers and childcare business owners limits the system's ability to support families.  Additionally, those who work in child care often do not earn a living age. A Bolder Way Forward Childcare/Pre-K spoke leaders, affiliates, and partners will work together to improve access to affordable, high quality childcare to ensure the long-term health and prosperity of Utah children, families and the state.

Spoke Leaders

Bold Vision & Goals

To make Utah a place where more girls and women can thrive, the Childcare/Pre-K spoke leaders and partners have crafted the vision and goals below. Spoke leadership and UWLP team members are currently working to collect baseline data that will assist in adding numbers to the changes we want to see by 2026 and 2030.

Vision: Ensure that affordable, quality childcare is available for all Utah families who need it.

Goals: 

1. By 2026, reduce the percentage of Utah families spending more than 10% of their income on childcare by 25%. [Metric]
   1. By 2026, increase the number of Utah businesses providing a child care benefit by 25%. [Metric]
   2. By 2026, increase the state investment in childcare subsidies and programs that support the childcare sector by 20%. [Metric]
2. By 2026, reduce the gap between childcare need and regulated childcare of children under 6 needing childcare. [Metric]
   1. By 2026, increase the number of high-quality early childhood education programs by 15% in underserved areas of Utah.  [Metric]
   2. By 2026, increase the state investment in childcare subsidies and programs that support the childcare sector by 20%. [Metric]
3. By 2026, increase the number of child care programs with a High Quality or High Quality Plus Rating by 20%. [Metric]
   1. By 2026, increase the number of Utah businesses providing a child care benefit by 25%. [Metric] 
   2. By 2026, raise the average wage for childcare workers in Utah by 20%. [Metric]
4. By 2026, increase the percentage of annual survey respondents that Agree or Strongly Agree that child care and Pre-K are essential components of a child’s lifelong learning by 20% from the 2023 baseline.
5. By 2026, increase the percentage of annual survey respondents that Agree or Strongly Agree that the government has a responsibility to address child care challenges by 20% from the 2023 baseline.
6. By 2026, increase the percentage of annual survey respondents that Agree or Strongly Agree that access to child care is an issue that families face in Utah by 20% from the 2023 baseline.
7. By 2026, increase the percentage of annual survey respondents that Agree or Strongly Agree that child care providers are professionals by 20% from the 2023 baseline.

Partners