New Kansas Poll: Child Care Costs Drive Affordability Concerns

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jacquie Lightcap | jacquie@kac.org | 785-338-1324
Jane Fillion | jfillion@ffyf.org | 303-478-5962

New Kansas Poll: Child Care Costs Drive Affordability Concerns

Topeka, KAN. — New statewide polling from UpONE Insights, conducted on behalf of First Five Years Fund and The Partnership for Early Success, finds that Kansas voters are concerned about the cost of living, with child care costs adding to the financial pressures facing families across the state. More than a third of parents say child care costs are preventing them from saving for the future, while one in four are cutting back on essentials to afford care.

Voters across party lines overwhelmingly agree that finding and affording quality child care is a serious problem and support lawmakers taking action to make care more affordable and accessible. The findings also underscore the connection between affordable child care, families’ financial stability, and Kansas’s workforce and economy.

Read what FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling, David Jordan, President and CEO of United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, and John Wilson, President and CEO of Kansas Action for Children have to say here.

AFFORDABILITY IS TOP OF MIND FOR KANSAS VOTERS

When asked which two issues are most important to their families, Kansas voters overwhelmingly identified lowering the cost of living (65%). The findings underscore the financial pressures facing families across the state, including:

43% of voters are unable to pay their full credit card bill every month.
37% of parents are unable to save money for the future due to child care costs.
One in four parents are cutting back on essentials to afford child care.
One in three voters are struggling to pay rent or mortgage.

KANSAS VOTERS SEE CHILD CARE AS PART OF THE AFFORDABILITY CRISIS

Kansas voters across party lines overwhelmingly agree that finding and affording quality child care is a serious challenge for working families.

Fully three-quarters of voters believe the ability of working parents to find and afford quality child care is either “in a state of crisis” or a “major problem,” including 65% of Republicans, 77% of Independents, and 91% of Democrats.
More than half of voters are concerned that young families may leave Kansas or choose not to have children because they cannot find affordable child care.

CHILD CARE IS CLOSELY CONNECTED TO KANSAS’S WORKFORCE AND ECONOMY

Kansas voters also recognize the broader economic benefits of expanding access to quality child care, including its role in helping parents enter and remain in the workforce.

70% of voters agree that increasing access to high-quality child care would strengthen Kansas’s economy and workforce, including 60% of Republicans, 67% of Independents, and 93% of Democrats.
45% of voters agree that labor shortages throughout the state are due in part to the lack of quality, affordable child care.
Approximately one-third of voters say they or someone they know would consider entering the workforce if quality child care were available.
Nearly four in ten voters say child care challenges affect their workplace.

CHILD CARE MATTERS TO KANSAS VOTERS AT THE BALLOT BOX

Kansas voters want to know where candidates stand on supporting working families with young children.

Fully 72% of Kansas voters say a candidate’s plans to support working families with young children will be important in deciding whom to vote for, including 66% of Republicans, 65% of Independents, and 83% of Democrats.

KANSAS VOTERS SUPPORT STATE AND FEDERAL INVESTMENT IN CHILD CARE

FEDERAL POLICIES

Kansas voters also support a federal role in helping working families access and afford quality child care and early learning opportunities.

Nearly two-thirds of voters believe federal funding for child care and early learning programs for low-income working families is a good investment of taxpayer dollars.
60% of Kansas voters support the Child Care Modernization Act, including 48% of Republicans, 57% of Independents, and 86% of Democrats. The bipartisan legislation would strengthen the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), the federal program that helps low-income working families afford child care
74% of voters support Head Start, including 62% of Republicans, 74% of Independents, and 95% of Democrats.

STATE POLICIES

There is strong opposition (57%) to reducing the number of children or allowing the funding to lapse in the state’s child care assistance program.
Over half of voters support the state giving child care dedicated ongoing funding care dedicated, ongoing funding like it gives public schools, even if it meant raising taxes to pay for it.
And nearly 60% of voters want yearly tobacco settlement payments to go
to programs that directly benefit children and families.

These findings demonstrate broad support for state and federal investments that help families access affordable child care and early learning programs.

BOTTOM LINE

The results point to a clear message from Kansas voters: making child care more affordable and accessible is a priority that cuts across party lines. Voters recognize the connection between child care, household affordability, and the state’s economic future, and they want state and federal leaders to prioritize meaningful solutions that support working families.

Statements:

Sarah Rittling, FFYF Executive Director: “Kansas families are feeling the strain of high child care costs. Voters recognize that child care is part of the broader affordability crisis, and for too many families, these costs are making it harder to save, get ahead, and plan for the future. This is the reality for families across Kansas, and it’s time for lawmakers to act.”

David Jordan, President and CEO of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund: “This research highlights that Kansas families are feeling the financial stress from the high cost of living, including the sky high cost of child care. It’s clear Kansans are looking for financial relief. Funding child care programs and tax credits that bring down the cost of care is a tangible way that policymakers can make life more affordable for Kansas families.”

John Wilson, President and CEO of Kansas Action for Children: “It’s striking to see just how many Kansans view our child care challenges crisis or major problem for working parents. This is one area where lawmakers can take direct, meaningful action to make life more affordable for working parents. Incoming state leaders must listen to what voters want — more affordable child care.”