Looming Concerns Regarding Child Care Policies in America
In recent years, the United States has seen significant improvements in child care regulations, with a focus on making child care more affordable and accessible for working families. The 2025 tax reconciliation package, a landmark legislation, enhanced key federal tax provisions related to child care. This includes the expansion of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC), improvements to the Employer-Provided Child Care Credit, and growth of Dependent Care Assistance Plans (DCAPs) enabling pre-tax payments for child care expenses.
However, the state of child care regulations varies across the nation, as evident in the case of Kansas. In 2025, Kansas House Bill No. 2294 was enacted, aiming to reform child care regulations and administration. The bill addressed several aspects, such as requiring child care centers licensed for more than 75 children to employ a full-time program director, reducing license fees and training requirements for day care facilities, and creating a streamlined process for temporary waivers of certain statutory requirements to increase flexibility.
The legislation also established the Kansas Office of Early Childhood, consolidating responsibility for day care licensing, parent education programs, and child care subsidies under a single administrative entity. It created dedicated funding through new licensing fee funds and background check funds, and defined and regulated youth development programs within the child care policy framework.
Despite these efforts, challenges persist in the child care sector. In the majority of states, more than 15% of child care workers live in poverty, and many struggle to meet basic needs like food and housing. The quality of care offered by child care providers has been affected by pandemic-related stressors, with nearly 45% of providers reporting a decline in quality according to the RAPID survey.
Tragically, incidents of child harm have been reported in Kansas. In 2023, Kansas's child care system was in crisis due to the pandemic, with enrollment numbers plummeting and child care staff departing in droves. This period saw the deaths of Aniyah Boone, a 7-month-old who died from a brain injury and lacerated liver at her child care program, and Zachary David Typer, a 6-month-old who suffocated due to being trapped between a mattress and footboard while under the care of a child care provider.
In response to these tragedies, Lexie's Law was passed in 2010, requiring caregivers to take more classes in safe-sleep practices, first aid, and child development, and follow new rules about supervising and monitoring children in their care. However, more recent proposals, such as those in Kansas and Iowa, have raised concerns about deregulating the industry, potentially leading to overworked and underpaid child care workers and compromising the safety and quality of care for children.
Looking ahead, it is crucial for policymakers to invest in supporting qualified workers and promoting safe, high-quality care, rather than embracing laws that are detached from what is needed and fly in the face of decades of research showing what young children need to stay safe, learn, and thrive.
[1] Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Care. (2025). Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report to Congress. [2] Source: Kansas Legislature, Kansas House Bill No. 2294 (2025).
Inequality persists in the child care sector, as many workers live in poverty and struggle to meet basic needs. To address this issue, policymakers could consider boosting education and self-development initiatives, such as after-school programs, for child care workers.
Innovative education-and-self-development programs could help improve the quality of child care by equipping workers with the skills and knowledge required to create safe, high-quality learning environments for children. This could help address the challenges faced by the child care sector and ensure that children receive the care they deserve.
