Republicans Slash Child Care Funding

LITTLE ROCK - After voting down a Democratic proposal to increase funding for pre-K and child care, Republicans are making major cuts to the School Readiness Assistance Program, a program that helps eligible families afford quality child care while parents work or attend school.

"Investing in the littlest Arkansans is the best thing we can do for a brighter Arkansas future," said Rep. Tippi McCullough (D-Little Rock). "I was disappointed when my Republican colleagues voted down the Democratic proposal to quadruple funding for pre-K and other school readiness programs, and I am disappointed to hear about these cuts to another much-needed child care program. Arkansas families deserve better."

According to a press release, the Arkansas Department of Education is no longer considering Quality when providing funding for child care providers that get reimbursed for the School Readiness Assistance Program. Currently, child care providers get reimbursed at a higher rate if they meet certain criteria on the "Better Beginnings" tiered quality rating and improvement system. Now, ADE is saying, "The current rates are based on Better Beginnings criteria and do not necessarily correlate to quality." ADE will provide a flat rate only, regardless of a child care center's Better Beginnings rating.

This means that child care providers who are highly rated on Better Beginnings will now see their funding slashed.

"Every family with young kids knows how hard it is to find child care that is both high quality and affordable," said Rep. Ashley Hudson (D-Little Rock). "With these changes, Republicans are making it harder to find both."

Not only is funding being cut, but families are now being charged a copay. Certain families will now have to pay to participate in the School Readiness Assistance Program, making this vital child care less affordable, and for some families, out of reach completely.

This isn't the first time Republicans have refused to make child care more affordable. During the 2025 legislative session, Representative Diana Gonzales Worthen (D-Springdale) proposed an amendment to quadruple funding for pre-K and school readiness child care programs, as part of Arkansas House Democrats' Better Arkansas Agenda. It was voted down by the Republican supermajority.

"While Republicans waste money on an unviable billion-dollar prison, unlimited private school vouchers, and lavish trips for themselves, Democrats are working to make life more affordable for Arkansas families," Arkansas Democrats Chair and Ret. Army Colonel Marcus Jones said.

Childcare providers are scrambling to continue providing services to families. McKinley Hess, owner of Conway Cradle Care, told Fox 16 News this week that her funding will be cut by 31%-36%. Across the board, the average reduction is over 16% in Benton and Washington Counties and more than 18% in the other 73 counties in the state. ADE released this information Friday, and the rate changes take effect on October 1. Child care providers are scrambling, trying to decide whether to eat the costs or raise prices for families.

"This reduction will force me to make extremely difficult choices," said Sarah Wheeler of Tiny Scholars Daycare in Malvern in an interview to THV11. "Cutting teachers, reducing staff hours, and raising prices for families."

The Democratic Party of Arkansas is encouraging concerned Arkansans to call the Governor's office at (501) 682-2345 and tell the Republican administration: Don't cut child care funding. Don't raise child care costs. Make child care more affordable, not less.