Childcare & Pre-K Programs
Research shows that Utah families are struggling to find childcare that is accessible, affordable, and high quality. Costs are high; families often pay $50,000–$70,000 before a child even reaches kindergarten, yet childcare workers still earn far below the state median wage, and many work multiple jobs just to get by. This imbalance makes it hard for providers to stay open and for families to find the care they need. As a result, many parents reduce work hours or leave the workforce altogether, even though most two‑parent households with young children say they need two incomes to cover basic expenses. At the same time, limited preschool access means many children miss out on early learning and development opportunities that prepare them for kindergarten.
A Bolder Way Forward’s Childcare & Pre‑K Programs Spoke is working with partners statewide to ensure women and families have access to affordable, quality childcare and other early childhood development opportunities. You can be part of building opportunities for Utah children and families by visiting the resources below to learn more. Individuals, organizations, and communities can also take specific actions to help. To get engaged, email the UWLP Community Connector (Amy Anderson).
Key Resources
Informational Video
Resource Kit
Research Snapshot
What Utahns Need to Know
Spoke Podcast
Bold Goals
Through collective impact and systems thinking, Utah can improve things by working towards the following goals:
- Improve the quality of early childhood development and kindergarten readiness. [Metric Forthcoming]
- Increase awareness of childcare and early childhood development resources for families and providers. [Metric Forthcoming]
- Support key partners in passing meaningful legislation that addresses childcare access and affordability for Utah families. [Metric Forthcoming]
- Increase Utahns’ agreement (understanding and perceptions) in the following areas: [Metric Dashboard]
- Access to childcare is an issue that families face in Utah.
- Childcare providers are professionals.
- Childcare and Pre-K programs play an important role in early childhood education.
- Government has a role in addressing childcare in Utah.
What You Can Do
Share resources about childcare solutions with Utah employers and employees. See Childcare Solutions for Employers [Spanish] and Working Parent Childcare Resources [Spanish].
Learn and share information about the importance of early childhood learning and development. See resources from the Office of Early Childhood Utah, Voices for Utah Children, and Envision Utah.
Talk to your legislators about supporting research-based public policy related to expanding childcare and early childhood education programs.
Community Partners
Statewide network of parents and child care providers whose goal is to uplift the voices of parents, providers, and caregivers to educate advocates, policymakers, and government officials on the state of child care and the reforms necessary.
Early professionals, teachers, caregivers and program administrators can browse training opportunities, register for courses, track and record professional development, apply for scholarships, and more. Parents can also search for quality care providers.
A nonprofit, non-partisan organization that promotes solution-based policies to remove barriers to opportunity. They work toward healthy, equitable policy for the future of our children, our community and our world.
Voices for Utah Children advocates and advances policies and practices that are good for all of Utah’s children. As a multi-issue organization, they are making a difference through raising awareness, influencing policy, and uniting the community.
The Early Learning Project at Envision Utah helps families engage in more nurturing interactions with their young children. By connecting Utah families and caregivers to brain development resources to turn everyday moments into better brain-building moments.
This alliance includes organizations and individuals to engage, educate, and support members, children, parents, and the community. They are focused on advocacy for high-quality, affordable childcare, provide grants, and support other local efforts.