HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania families struggling to find affordable childcare could soon see relief, thanks to Governor Josh Shapiro’s bold 2025-26 budget proposal. Presented at CrossPoint Early Learning Center in Dauphin County on Thursday, the plan allocates $55 million to recruit and retain childcare workers, addressing a critical industry labor shortage that impacts 25,000 children statewide.
A Crisis with Far-Reaching Impacts
Governor Shapiro painted a stark picture of Pennsylvania’s childcare crisis during his visit. The state currently has 3,000 unfilled childcare jobs, forcing many centers to limit capacity or maintain long waitlists. This shortage not only affects children’s access to vital early education but also pushes parents out of the workforce, disrupting families and harming the economy.
“When families can’t find safe, affordable childcare, it forces them out of our workforce and hurts our economy,” Shapiro explained. “My budget proposal invests $55 million to ensure childcare workers in Pennsylvania receive at least $1,000 annually in recruitment and retention bonuses. It’s a critical step to strengthening this workforce and expanding access for families.”
Key Budget Investments in Childcare
Governor Shapiro’s proposal introduces an array of targeted solutions for families and childcare providers. Highlights of the childcare-related budget investments include:
- $55 million for workforce recruitment and retention grants for childcare employees in the Child Care Works (CCW) Program.
- $15 million in additional funding for the Pre-K Counts program, aimed at raising wages and stabilizing the early educator workforce.
- $10 million to increase rates for Early Intervention (EI) providers, ensuring equitable support for Pennsylvania’s young children.
These measures continue the administration’s childcare-focused momentum from previous years. Since taking office, Shapiro has expanded the Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit, delivering $136 million in savings to 218,000 families, and introduced the Employer Child Care Contribution Tax Credit to ease childcare costs for working parents.
Amplifying the Childcare Workforce
Speakers at the CrossPoint Early Learning Center event underscored the importance of these investments, particularly for childcare centers struggling to recruit skilled staff.
Suzanne Brubacher, Director of CrossPoint Early Learning Center, emphasized the value of the childcare workforce. “Early childhood education professionals are the workforce behind the workforce. This investment allows us to recruit and retain high-quality educators and caregivers vital to children’s healthy development,” she said.
Jennifer Shirk-Weiss, a teacher at CrossPoint, described the budget plan as a meaningful recognition of a profession often underappreciated. “This $55 million budget allocation says, ‘I am seen, heard, and valued as an education professional,’” she noted.
Parent Megan Gherrity shared a heartfelt perspective, praising CrossPoint’s role in nurturing her son with autism and her creatively inclined daughter. “Centers like CrossPoint create an inclusive and welcoming environment that empowers children. Governor Shapiro’s proposed investments will ensure more families can access this level of care,” she said.
Broader Workforce Development
Shapiro’s focus on childcare is part of a larger strategy addressing workforce shortages in key industries, including healthcare and education. Since taking office, the administration has expanded funding for career and technical education (CTE), vo-tech programs, and apprenticeships by nearly $65 million. Pennsylvania now invests 50% more in workforce development compared to 2023, equipping workers for high-demand, family-sustaining careers.
“Workforce development isn’t just about solving today’s problems; it’s also about preparing for the future,” Shapiro remarked, noting the state’s historic low unemployment and the addition of 170,000 Pennsylvanians to the workforce under his leadership.
A Way Forward
Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh highlighted the potential for the proposed measures to not only expand childcare access but also uplift the professionals who make it possible. “By supporting these providers, we’re not just meeting today’s needs but building a foundation for Pennsylvania’s long-term growth,” she said.
The projected return on this investment is compelling. High-quality childcare doesn’t just benefit individual families — it fuels economic prosperity and prepares the next generation for success. Governor Shapiro’s forward-thinking budget promises to address immediate workforce shortages while creating sustainable pathways for Pennsylvania’s families and economy to thrive.
With this ambitious proposal, Pennsylvania stands poised to redefine its childcare landscape, ensuring that every dollar invested strengthens families, communities, and the future of the Commonwealth.
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