Parents stuck on waitlists for childcare assistance in nearly half of U.S. states

Nearly half of U.S. states now have waitlists for childcare assistance, with hundreds of thousands of children on waiting lists in 23 states and the District of Columbia, according to an Associated Press analysis. Three additional states are turning away many eligible families who apply. The number of states with waitlists has nearly tripled since 2023, with many of those lists forming after $28 billion in federal pandemic childcare funding expired in fall 2024. Although some states have increased funding, rising household costs are driving greater demand. The lack of subsidized care leaves many families struggling to work or pursue education.