Parent choice in child care is fundamental, allowing families to select environments that align with their values, priorities, and their child’s unique needs. Whether seeking a program with a specific educational approach, a caregiver who speaks their primary language, or an environment that reflects their cultural or religious beliefs, parents deserve the ability to make informed decisions. When families have access to diverse and flexible child care options, they are more likely to feel confident in their child’s well-being, development, and safety. Unfortunately, the expansion of state-funded universal transitional kindergarten (TK) is significantly limiting these choices by destabilizing the private child care sector.
For decades, families—regardless of income level—have benefited from a child care system that enables them to determine what quality markers matter most to them. Programs such as the alternative payment system, established in 1978, ensured that parents could use subsidies in a variety of settings, including school-based programs, private centers, family child care homes, and care by relatives. This flexibility empowered parents to select care that best met their scheduling needs and educational priorities.
However, as universal TK expands, private child care providers are facing unprecedented challenges. The enrollment of three- and four-year-olds in private programs is declining as families opt for free, part-day TK programs. While these programs offer a cost-effective option for families, they do not address the full scope of child care needs. Many parents still require full-day, year-round care, evening and weekend options, and programs that accommodate mixed-age siblings. Private providers, in turn, are struggling to fill gaps, often resorting to extended hours, shifting to part-time enrollments, or reducing staff. Some are attempting to transition to infant and toddler care, but the increased costs, staffing requirements, and regulatory burdens make this shift financially unsustainable for many. As a result, an increasing number of child care providers are shutting their doors.
This loss of private providers has significant consequences. It restricts parental choice, particularly for families who rely on culturally relevant care, language immersion programs, or flexible scheduling. It also threatens the broader child care ecosystem by reducing the availability of options beyond the standard school-day model. While universal TK is intended to improve access to early education, its unintended consequence is the erosion of a diverse, adaptable child care system that serves a wide range of family needs.
Government regulations and funding structures further compound these challenges. While school districts receive dedicated funding to implement TK, private child care providers are left without comparable financial support, making it difficult for them to compete. Additionally, staffing requirements for infant and toddler care continue to increase, adding more barriers to providers attempting to pivot their services. Without policy solutions that level the playing field, the trend toward diminishing parent choice will only accelerate.
Ensuring that parents have access to comprehensive information about child care options is more important than ever. Resource and Referral programs play a critical role in helping families navigate their choices by providing details on provider qualifications, program philosophies, availability, and costs. These services help parents make informed decisions that align with their values and logistical needs, but they cannot replace the actual availability of diverse child care options.
At Child Action, Inc., our mission is to empower parents with the tools they need to make the best choices for their families. However, without policy considerations that support the viability of private child care providers, parent choice will continue to shrink. As universal TK expands, policymakers must address the unintended consequences on private providers and ensure that families retain access to a full spectrum of child care options that meet their diverse needs.