Florida Families Face Childcare Crisis as Waitlist Hits 26,000

The number of children awaiting subsidized childcare in Florida has surged to nearly 26,000 this year, following the end of federal COVID-era funding and an increase in eligibility without additional state financial support. This situation places immense pressure on low-income families who are already grappling with soaring rents and rising food costs, making it difficult for them to afford childcare services essential for employment.

Pat Cronon, the owner of Hand ‘n Hand Child Enrichment in Orlando, which caters to children aged one month to five years, described the current climate as unprecedented in her 36 years of experience. “It’s the most distressing time for families that I’ve ever seen,” she remarked. The waitlist for the School Readiness program, which manages federal childcare subsidies, has extended to an average of six months. Cronon indicated that many parents are forced to leave their jobs as they cannot afford childcare during this waiting period.

Historically, the School Readiness program has faced waitlists, but pandemic relief funds temporarily alleviated some of the burden. In 2019, approximately 15,230 children were on the waitlist, which decreased to around 4,200 by 2022. Now, the number has swelled to 25,968 children.

To qualify for the program, parents must be employed or enrolled in school, with family income limits set at approximately $36,666 for a family of two and $53,920 for a family of four. Funding assistance is provided on a sliding scale based on income.

Scott Fritz, CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County, highlighted the widespread issue across the state, noting, “There are parents that qualify, that are working, that are meeting the threshold, but they can’t get services.” The Orange County coalition alone has a waitlist exceeding 2,000 families.

In the spring, the Florida Legislature passed a law expanding eligibility for subsidized childcare, in response to rising living costs. Unfortunately, no additional funds were allocated for the program, and federal contributions—critical to the School Readiness program—declined by about $80 million this year. A staff analysis of the approved legislation indicated that without increased funding, expanding eligibility would inevitably escalate the waitlist numbers.

Norin Dollard, senior policy analyst at the Florida Policy Institute, expressed concern regarding the current situation: “We should increase income eligibility. People have been saying that for a long time. But if you can’t increase the capacity then what are you going to do with those families? Nothing. They’re on the waitlist.”

Brittany Jackson, a 30-year-old single mother with two children, experienced the impact of the waitlist firsthand. After moving to Jacksonville this year, she applied for School Readiness in March but did not receive assistance until August. Unable to cover the full cost of childcare, her work attendance suffered, leading to a demotion.

“I was struggling. I was falling behind on bills and everything. It was just impossible,” Jackson explained. The Florida Department of Education acknowledged that the end of COVID relief funding contributed to the growing waitlist, reflecting heightened demand for the program.

The waitlist situation varies by county, often with more densely populated areas experiencing longer delays. For instance, Osceola County has seen its waitlist grow from none in 2024 to over 450 children this year. Amanda Kelkenberg, CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Osceola County, stated, “I have no anticipated date for funds to be made available. So I have no anticipated date to enroll families off the waitlist.”

Childcare centers serving low-income families report that funding shortfalls have drastically reduced their attendance rates. Latonya Pelt, director of Welbourne Nursery and Preschool in Winter Park, noted a significant decline in enrollment from 64 children last year to 52 this year. Many families are unable to afford tuition, even with both parents working.

Wanda Barkley, owner of another childcare center, also observed a drop in enrollment, from approximately 75 children last year to 50 this year. “If I cannot get my number up, I will have to make some tough decisions. I’m looking into transitioning into retirement earlier,” she said.

In contrast, some families have been able to access funding more quickly due to specific circumstances. Mikala B’Williams, who sought refuge in a domestic abuse shelter, received School Readiness funding within two weeks of applying. “It was definitely very important that my son go in so quickly, so I could start working again,” she shared.

Despite the hardships faced during the waitlist period, families like Jackson’s continue to seek assistance. She often visited the Early Learning Coalition of Duval to plead for help, experiencing the frustrations of many parents in similar situations. “They would always say, ‘We don’t have funding,’” Jackson recounted. “And it just didn’t make sense to me.”

As the demand for subsidized childcare continues to outpace available resources, the challenges faced by Florida families remain pressing, underscoring the urgent need for systemic solutions to ensure access to essential childcare services.