Madison Reporter

Democratic lawmakers in Wisconsin have introduced legislation aimed at securing stable funding for child care across the state. The proposal is modeled after the Child Care Counts program, which has been credited with supporting early childhood educators, keeping child care centers open, and maintaining affordable options for families.

Supporters of the bill say that access to reliable and affordable child care is a critical need in every community. They point out that many parents are struggling to find suitable care, forcing them to make difficult financial decisions or leave the workforce.

Senator Kelda Roys (D-Madison) said, “Our goal is to ensure every family has the resources to thrive in every community in Wisconsin. That starts with a direct investment in childcare providers to ensure early childhood educators can afford to stay in their professions, teaching our youngest children, and preparing them for school and for life. Our present workforce and future success depends on making a meaningful public investment in child care right now.”

Representative Alex Joers (D-Waunakee) added, “Building a responsible budget begins with providing the necessary investment for our youngest children. As a parent of two kids under five, I’m sure I join many other parents across this state to say we are exhausted from having to wait for this state legislature to take affordable child care seriously. Now, time’s up. We are pursuing this legislation to establish a comprehensive approach in supporting the care economy for Wisconsin families.”

Representative Renuka Mayadev (D-Madison) emphasized the importance of early childhood education as part of economic infrastructure: “We must invest in early childhood education. Child care providers are an essential component of our economy’s infrastructure. We need to support the workers that keep the doors open and the lights on. By investing in this infrastructure, Wisconsin wins. Parents will be able to work. Employers will have a reliable workforce. Children will build the skills for school and beyond. And we will lay a foundation for a thriving economy today and in the future.”

Senator Sarah Keyeski (D-Lodi) spoke about her personal experience: “As a mom of six kids who depended on child care when my children were young, I know first-hand how necessary high-quality, affordable child care is. In Wisconsin, rural communities like the one I live in are most affected by lack of access to child care, with 70% of these communities being considered a child care desert. This equates to thousands of children who are left without the care they need and parents who are forced to leave the workforce or make long commutes out of town to the next child care facility with the capacity to accept new kids. Urgently investing in a strong, stable, and accessible child care industry is imperative for the wellness of our kids, the well-being of our families, and the economic vitality of our state.”

The proposed legislation aims not only at improving access but also at ensuring that teachers remain employed within their field while keeping costs manageable for working families throughout Wisconsin.