Pathway to a Brighter Future for Child Care in Arkansas
The future of early childhood care and education in Arkansas is full of exciting possibilities! Our latest policy brief, Breaking Barriers to Child Care Licensing in Arkansas, and report, Early Childhood Care and Education in Arkansas Licensing Policy and Practice Report, highlights what providers across the state have been saying loud and clear: families need more access, less red tape, and stronger support for the people who care for our youngest learners.
Across the state, providers are doing incredible work, often while navigating a system that can feel “necessary but burdensome.” Confusing licensing rules, high start-up costs, workforce shortages, and inconsistent support make it challenging to launch or grow programs, especially in rural areas, where many communities don’t have enough licensed child care. When providers can’t open, parents can’t work, and children miss out on critical early learning opportunities that are essential for long-term success in school.
Why This Matters
Child care is more than supervision; it’s the foundation for Arkansas’s future. High-quality early learning gives children the skills they need to thrive academically and socially, which is especially important given the LEARNS Act requirement that all students read on grade level by 3rd grade or risk being retained. Access to affordable early learning allows children to build these foundational skills, helps parents participate fully in the workforce, and strengthens local economies. When child care is limited or too costly, families struggle, educators face burnout, and communities miss out on the benefits of a thriving early childhood system. Ensuring equitable access, especially in rural and underserved areas, is critical to building stronger families, a stronger workforce, and a stronger Arkansas.
Our team recently had the opportunity to engage with early childhood stakeholders not only from across Arkansas, but also from around the country, during the first in-person Arkansas Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Initiative Convening at the Heartland Whole Health Institute hosted by Walton Family Foundation. These conversations were energizing and affirmed what we already know: Arkansas is ready to move forward together to strengthen our early childhood system and make a lasting difference for children and families.
The study identifies six practical ways to move forward:
- Streamline licensing so providers spend more time teaching and less time on paperwork.
- Provide financial relief with grants, subsidies, and low-interest loans to cover start-up and compliance costs.
- Support the workforce through training, career pathways, and fair wages.
- Modernize zoning to allow child care in more neighborhoods and mixed-use areas.
- Diversify funding to reduce reliance on federal dollars and strengthen state and local investment.
- Revitalize family child care, particularly in rural communities where small, home-based programs are often the only option.
Providers shared both their frustrations and their hope, emphasizing that strong relationships and collaboration are key to making these reforms a reality. With the LEARNS Act realigning child care licensing under the Arkansas Department of Education, and the urgency created by the requirement that all students read on grade level by 3rd grade, the timing couldn’t be better. Now is the moment to simplify processes, invest in the workforce, and open doors for families and children.
Addressing Funding Challenges
While Arkansas has made strides in supporting early childhood programs, current funding structures continue to create challenges for providers and families alike. The state’s School Readiness Assistance (SRA) child care subsidies are a critical tool for making early learning affordable, yet recent changes to the program have raised questions about accessibility and stability for both children and providers. Our research shows that many families still struggle to access subsidies, and providers face financial uncertainty when rates or eligibility rules shift. For a deeper look, see our analysis of the SRA program: Part 1: What’s Behind Arkansas’s School Readiness Assistance Child Care Subsidies and Part 2: What the New SRA Rules Actually Mean for Children, Families, and Providers. Strengthening and stabilizing funding is essential to ensure that providers can sustain high-quality programs and families can reliably access the care their children need.
Change is coming, and it starts with listening, learning, and acting together. Arkansas’s kids are counting on us, and when we invest in child care, we invest in the state’s future.
Read the full brief here.
Read the full report here.
View the recorded press conference here.