Informed by the Florida Business Alliance for Early Learning Project, the Florida Chamber Foundation’s new School Readiness policy research report makes the case for a shift in the School Readiness program’s eligibility criteria from the Federal Poverty Level to State Median Income to ensure more working families have access to affordable, quality child care. This change aims to bolster Florida’s workforce and strengthen Florida’s economy in pursuit of the following Florida 2030 Blueprint goals:
- Ensuring 100% of Florida’s children are kindergarten-ready
- Ensuring 100% of 3rd graders are reading at or above grade level
- Cutting Florida childhood poverty in half by 2030, and more
Moreover, child care is the #1 reason working parents with children under the age of six in Florida quit their job. In fact, 281,621 Floridians reported not working in the last 12 months to take care of a child, contributing to Florida’s talent shortage where there are only approximately 90 Floridians looking for work for every 100 open jobs.
“Child care should not be an insurmountable barrier to employment. By aligning School Readiness eligibility with Floridians’ economic realities through State Median Income, we can help more parents remain in the workforce, reduce financial stress on families, and ensure our youngest learners receive valuable early education,” said Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Foundation.
Under the current system, Florida’s School Readiness program is limited to families earning up to 150% of the Federal Poverty Level, which is $46,800 annually for a family of four. This threshold excludes many working families struggling with rising living costs. The Florida Chamber Foundation’s policy research report explores a shift to State Median Income as the eligibility benchmark, as it would provide child care tuition assistance to families earning just above the Federal Poverty Line but still facing financial challenges.
As the School Readiness program prepares for review this legislative session, Representative Fiona McFarland, a long-time proponent of child care reform, recently shared, “The question about child care and early learning isn’t whether the investment is righteous; it’s how we get there. Florida is leading the nation in low taxes and regulations, but we can do more to give the next generation the tools they need to succeed at every level of life.”
Research from the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida Business Alliance for Early Learning Project shows that child care costs consume 20-30% of household incomes and exceed in-state college tuition by nearly $8,400 annually. By setting the eligibility threshold at 65% State Median Income, 72,000 total new families would be potentially eligible for School Readiness. However, leveraging the 22% historical uptake of eligible families accessing School Readiness, it is estimated that 15,840 of the 72,000 eligible families would enter the program and 27,500 children would benefit from early learning programs.
“Expanding access to School Readiness is not just about helping families; it’s an investment in Florida’s economy,” said Makayla Buchanan, Director of Early Learning & Literacy for the Florida Chamber Foundation. “A shift from 150% Federal Poverty Level to 65% State Median Income for School Readiness entrance eligibility, with funding to support the new families and children, Florida stands to gain about $1.3 billion in just direct economic impact — a $5.65 return on every $1 invested.”
For more information on this initiative and how to support efforts to expand child care access in Florida, contact Makayla Buchanan at mbuchanan@flchamber.com.