The Latest Childcare Policy Poll: Here's What American Mothers Need
Takeaways from our August Pulse Poll on the 2024 Bipartisan Childcare Package.
American mothers agree, no matter their political affiliation, that the childcare system needs to be reformed. Families are struggling and moms say that childcare is a major contributor to that stress.
Based on the Count on Mothers August study:
Regardless of political ideology, American mothers overwhelmingly support the Bipartisan Childcare Package.
Policies that focus on the tax code will help some families, but many do not use the full benefits because they are confusing.
Paid family leave, childcare subsidies that cap costs to 7% of household income, and universal pre-k are favored by mothers across the political spectrum.
THE 2024 BIPARTISAN CHILDCARE PACKAGE:
On July 31st, Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) introduced a pair of bipartisan bills that hope to make childcare more affordable and accessible: the Childcare Availability and Affordability Act and the Child Care Workforce Act. Collectively, these bills are known as the Bipartisan Childcare Package.
The Bipartisan Childcare Package would increase the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to $2500 per year for one child and to $4000 per year for two or more children, make the child care tax credit refundable, increase the amount families are allowed to set aside in a child care FSA from $5000 to $7500, increase the Employer-Provided Child Care Tax Credit to promote employee-sponsored child care, and establish a grant program for states and localities to raise child care worker wages.
OVERALL, MOTHERS BELIEVE IT WILL HELP
About 8 in 10 American mothers agree that the proposed increases in the childcare tax credit and allowable FSA contributions would have a positive impact on their families. And at least 7 in 10 American mothers agree that increasing employer tax credits would have a positive impact on their families’ access to quality childcare. However, we found that a significant number of mothers are not likely to use or benefit from the full provisions.
DO SOLUTIONS FOCUSED ON THE TAX CODE WORK?
3 out of 4 American mothers we polled report claiming the current child and dependent tax care credit. The distribution was fairly consistent across self-reported political affiliations. Not bad, right? That’s about 75% of American mothers claiming the benefit.
However, only 1 in 3 American mothers report ever using a childcare FSA, and our poll found that a significant number are not using them largely out of confusion. Over 24% of mothers who reported not using a childcare FSA are either confused about eligibility or have never heard of a childcare FSA. Moreover, the total percentage of moms unclear about childcare FSAs is likely higher because over 28% of moms said they are uncertain if they have ever used a childcare FSA.
Some moms had an incorrect understanding of childcare FSAs and mistakenly believed their childcare center does “not accept” FSAs. FSA funds are deducted from the paycheck and deposited into a childcare FSA account. If the childcare provider has a tax ID number or SSN, FSA funds can be used for that childcare. All licensed or accredited childcare providers would qualify. Additionally, some moms reported not using a childcare/dependent care FSA because they mistakenly believed they could not have a childcare FSA if they have a healthcare savings account (HSA). A childcare FSA is different from a healthcare FSA.
WHERE DO AMERICAN MOTHERS AGREE?
When we asked mothers what they would want to say to legislators about childcare solutions, the answers were compelling and similar across the political spectrum.
The number one most frequent response was wanting paid family leave programs expanded or required. The second most frequent response among mothers was that the government should provide subsidies for childcare that cap costs. We also found that both mothers who identified as very liberal and very conservative want universal pre-K offered in public schools — 81% and 95%, respectively.
Many mothers explicitly stated that they have chosen not to have more children because they cannot afford to spend any more on childcare costs. A mom from Ohio who identified as conservative said, “I love children and would love to have more but it breaks my heart to think I can’t afford to pay for childcare for more than one.”
A mom from Florida who identified as liberal said, “As a mother, I've had to make adjustments to my career and work role - to the detriment of my long-term income potential and long-term career development - because I have lived in places without access to affordable childcare. There have been times when I've paid as much as 30% of my family's income to ensure my child had quality childcare. In the summer months, our childcare costs double or can even triple to cover the same hours during the school year.”
Many mothers contend that funds and credits should support care in the home, as well. A mother from Washington identifying as conservative wrote, "Any program that provides financial support to parents who work outside the home should also include parents who stay home with their children. Otherwise you are de facto saying it is better for mothers to go back to work rather than choose to stay home with their children. I don't pay for child care but I do give up wages to provide childcare for my own kids. Why should that be any different than paying (for childcare)?”
In case you’re wondering if the studies skew more toward a particular political ideology, and whether all constituents care about childcare policy, our sample reflects the breakdown of political ideology among U.S. women. For the August study, 800 mothers from 47 states completed the survey, reflecting a representative distribution of mothers. Per political ideology, from very conservative to very liberal, 11.6% identified as very conservative, 19.8% identified as conservative, 32.1% identified as moderate, 21.0% identified as liberal, 13.6% identified as very liberal, and 1.9% identified as other.
We send the full report to each member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. However, there’s only one week left in session (not sure who these long breaks benefit — certainly not mothers!), and then a lame-duck period. So it’s important to share this with the candidates who want to represent you.
We’ve collected clear data showing childcare reform is not a partisan issue among mothers, so it shouldn’t be partisan to policymakers either. It is clear what American mothers need — let’s see who delivers it first.