the state median income , or around $ 51,000 for a family of three . And even when families do qualify , the
most recent data available estimates only 13 % of eligible children birth through five actually received assistance through the subsidy program . As shown in Figures 16 and 17 , the true cost of care is higher than the prices families are currently paying in the private market as of 2021 , making it clear policymakers need to address the need for support beyond families who currently qualify for WCCC , with the true cost of child care being unaffordable for all but the wealthiest families in Washington State . When considering the true cost of child care , policymakers should consider eligibility levels for public assistance to ensure that all families are able to access affordable child care . In addition , the state can look at ways to support all child care providers , beyond the subsidy system . The results of the cost model can help illustrate what level of support is needed to provide a stable and sustainable child care program . The COVID-19 pandemic saw states experiment with many different approaches to funding child care programs , including direct grants to programs and stipends to educators , recognizing that the pandemic was impacting all parts of the system , not just the publicly funded programs , and that child care played a vital role in the economy .
The crisis in child care existed long before the pandemic and will continue long after if no enduring changes are made to the way child care programs are funded . Washington state leaders have shown a significant commitment to early childhood in recent years . The results of this cost study and the cost estimation model can serve as invaluable tools to policymakers to guide future decisions and ensure that the child care system is fully funded and able to meet the needs of children , the early childhood workforce , child care providers , and the broader economy that relies on parents ’ ability to access affordable child care .