Gov. Tony Evers has declared 2025 as the ‘Year of the Kid’ in Wisconsin, shining a spotlight on the issue of child care in the state. As the governor prepares to unveil his budget priorities, parents and daycare providers are urging for increased spending to address the child care crisis. Lawmakers, stakeholders, and families recently gathered at the Capitol to show support for continued investments in child care, emphasizing the importance of public education and programs. Concerns were raised about Head Start programs facing funding delays and uncertainty about federal funding, which could exacerbate the existing crisis.
Governor Evers has announced plans to make the state’s Child Care Counts program permanent, with a proposed budget of over $500 million to lower child care costs and support employer-sponsored child care. Democrats argue that Wisconsin is already in a state of crisis regarding child care, and recent federal funding issues have only made the situation worse.
Providers are struggling to keep child care services running amidst funding uncertainties, with the freeze on federal grants causing additional challenges. Families, like single mother Chelsea Fields, are facing uncertainty and potential loss of care for their children. The impact of the funding delays and uncertainties is creating instability not only for providers but also for families who rely on these services.
The proposed funding in Governor Evers’ budget aims to address the challenges faced by child care providers and families, with a focus on lowering costs and expanding access to quality care. The call for increased investment in child care is now more urgent than ever as stakeholders work to ensure that families across Wisconsin have access to the essential services they need.
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