If you live in a disaster area impacted by Hurricane Helene and it's been declared a presidential disaster zone, you may be eligible for $750 in initial relief to cover urgent needs. Learn more
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If you live in a disaster area impacted by Hurricane Helene and it's been declared a presidential disaster zone, you may be eligible for $750 in initial relief to cover urgent needs. Learn more
Child Care
Child care is a fundamental need for working families. When child care is accessible and affordable, parents can focus on their jobs and provide for their families without the constant worry of how their children will be cared for during work hours. Quality child care supports children’s development, prepares them for school, and allows parents to pursue economic stability and career growth. However, when child care is unavailable or unaffordable, it creates significant challenges for families, often forcing one parent, typically the mother, to leave the workforce or work reduced hours.
Reliable child care doesn't just benefit individual families; it also has far-reaching implications for businesses and the economy. Employers report that when employees have stable child care arrangements, there is less absenteeism, higher productivity, and better retention rates. As a result, creating affordable child care solutions is not just a family issue—it's a societal and economic one.
In Tennessee, several programs aim to alleviate the burdens associated with child care costs and accessibility, offering essential support to working families.
The Child Care Crisis in America
$64.5 Billion
The lack of affordable child care costs American mothers $64.5 billion in lost wages annually.
2 million +
Over 2 million parents annually report that they’ve had to quit a job, decline a promotion, or reduce their work hours due to problems with child care access.
20-30%
Child care costs consume nearly 20-30% of a family's income for those earning the median household income
Nonprofit Organizations and Coalitions Helping with Child Care
Several nonprofit organizations and coalitions in Tennessee and nationwide work to support families in accessing child care. These programs work to close the gap between the high cost of child care and what families can afford, ensuring that no parent has to choose between working to provide for their family and staying home due to lack of child care options. When families have reliable care, the benefits ripple outward—strengthening the workforce, boosting local economies, and improving children’s futures.
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The Tennessee Association for the Education of Young Children
TAEYC is a state-level affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). It supports early childhood educators and advocates for policies that ensure children have access to high-quality child care and early learning opportunities.
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Save the Children Action Network (SCAN)
Save the Children Action Network advocates for child care policies that help working families, including expanding child care subsidies and increasing funding for early childhood education. SCAN's work in Tennessee supports local efforts to improve access to affordable child care and Pre-K programs.
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Programs in Tennessee Supporting Child Care Needs
In Tennessee, several programs aim to alleviate the burdens associated with child care costs and accessibility, offering essential support to working families. Access to child care subsidies, Pre-K programs, and after-school care is a lifeline for many working families in Tennessee. These resources not only support parents in maintaining employment but also contribute to better outcomes for children. Quality early childhood education and after-school programs enhance children’s cognitive and social development, setting the stage for long-term success in school and beyond.
1. Tennessee Child Care Payment Assistance/Child Care Certificate Program
The Child Care Certificate Program provides subsidies to help eligible families pay for child care at licensed facilities, registered homes, or other approved providers. The goal is to make child care more affordable and accessible for low-income families, allowing parents to work, attend job training, or pursue education.
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Eligibility: To qualify, families must meet income requirements and work or attend an educational institution for at least 30 hours per week. There are also specific provisions for families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or experiencing homelessness.
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Benefits: The program pays a portion of child care costs directly to the provider, reducing the out-of-pocket expenses for the family. The amount of assistance is based on family income, the number of children, and the cost of child care in the region.
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How to Apply: Families can apply through the Tennessee Department of Human Services or local service agencies.
2. Tennessee Voluntary Pre-K Program
The Tennessee Voluntary Pre-K Program offers free, high-quality early childhood education to 4-year-old children across the state. The program aims to give children a strong start before entering kindergarten, addressing developmental delays and preparing them for future academic success.
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Eligibility: This program is available to children who are 4 years old by August 15 of the current school year. Priority is often given to children from low-income families, children with disabilities, or children who are at risk of falling behind their peers.
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Program Structure: The Pre-K classes are available in public schools and some private child care centers. They typically follow the traditional school schedule, providing full-day educational experiences that combine academic learning with social and emotional development.
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Benefits for Parents: The program allows parents to continue working or seek job opportunities while their children receive quality early education. Parents also save on the costs associated with private preschool or child care.
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Enrollment Information: More information is available on the Tennessee Department of Education website.
3. Tennessee After-School Programs
After-school programs play a crucial role for working parents by ensuring that children have a safe and enriching environment after school hours. These programs often focus on academics, physical activity, and social development, helping to bridge the gap between school dismissal and the end of the typical workday.
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Availability: Tennessee offers a variety of after-school programs funded through state and federal grants, such as the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, local school district programs, and nonprofit organizations.
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Benefits for Families: These programs provide affordable care for school-aged children and help alleviate the need for parents to leave work early to pick up their children. They also support children’s education by providing homework assistance, tutoring, and enrichment activities.
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How to Find a Program: The Tennessee Afterschool Network is a helpful resource for locating after-school programs throughout the state.
The Child Care Crisis for Working Americans
The rising cost of child care in the U.S. has become a significant financial strain for many working families, with annual expenses ranging from $9,000 to $22,000 per child. These high costs often force parents to leave the workforce or make difficult financial sacrifices, especially for single-parent households or families with multiple children. In addition to high costs, there is a critical shortage of child care facilities, leaving many families without access to reliable care. This shortage affects parents' ability to work and children's access to early learning opportunities. The lack of affordable and available child care particularly impacts women, pushing many out of the workforce. Access to affordable, reliable child care is essential for economic security and career growth for parents. It also supports children's development and benefits businesses by reducing employee turnover and increasing productivity. Tennessee offers several programs to help working families, including child care payment assistance, free Pre-K for eligible 4-year-olds, and after-school programs that provide safe environments for children while parents work. Addressing the child care crisis will require action from policymakers, employers, and communities to expand affordable options and support early childhood educators. Working families need access to safe, enriching child care options, and Tennessee's programs can help ease the burden. More resources and policy changes are needed to provide sustainable solutions.
The High Cost of Child Care
Child care costs in the United States are soaring, and for many working families, they have become an unbearable financial burden. The average cost of child care in the U.S. can range from $9,000 to $22,000 per year per child, depending on the state and type of care. This leaves families having to make difficult decisions—some parents must leave the workforce to care for their children, or they stretch their finances to afford care, impacting long-term financial stability.
For single parents or families with multiple children, the costs become even more difficult to manage. Unfortunately, child care is often as expensive as a mortgage payment, and many families are unable to access affordable options, limiting their opportunities to work or advance in their careers.
Child Care Availability: A Growing Crisis
Not only is child care expensive, but there is also a critical shortage of child care facilities across the country. Many working parents, especially in rural areas or highly populated cities, face long waiting lists or simply no available slots. This shortage leaves families scrambling to find reliable caregivers or relying on informal, sometimes less reliable, arrangements. The lack of available child care impacts not only the parents' ability to work but also children's early development, as many miss out on structured early learning opportunities.
The demand far exceeds the supply of qualified child care providers, and this crisis is pushing parents, especially women, out of the workforce. Without access to reliable and affordable care, millions of American families struggle daily.
The Importance of Access to Affordable, Reliable Child Care
Access to affordable and reliable child care is essential for working parents. Child care doesn’t just allow parents to maintain their jobs—it ensures economic security and allows for career growth. Affordable and high-quality child care also supports child development, as children benefit from early learning environments that prepare them for school and beyond. When parents have access to reliable care, they can focus on their jobs without the constant worry of how their children will be looked after during working hours.
For businesses, access to affordable child care for employees helps reduce turnover, increases productivity, and contributes to a more engaged workforce.
Addressing the Child Care Crisis
Solving the child care crisis will require a concerted effort from policymakers, employers, and communities. Expanding access to affordable child care options, supporting early childhood educators, and creating policies that allow parents to balance work and family are all critical steps. Without significant changes, the child care crisis will continue to hold back millions of American families from achieving economic stability and success.
Working parents deserve to have peace of mind knowing that their children are in safe, enriching environments while they work. By leveraging the programs available in Tennessee and advocating for more resources, we can begin to ease the burden and support working families across the state and country.
School meals and food programs for children
Your child may qualify for free or reduced-price meals at their school or childcare center. They can get food assistance throughout the school year and during summer break.
During the school year, your child can get free or reduced-price meals at school through:
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The Special Milk Program, which provides milk for students in schools that do not participate in a federal school meal program
Find out if your child is eligible for school meal programs
Your children may qualify for free meals or milk during the school year if:
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You meet household income guidelines
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You receive SNAP (food stamps), TANF (welfare), WIC, or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
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They are foster children under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court
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They are enrolled in Head Start
Check with your child's school for specific eligibility requirements for your state.
How to apply for school meal programs
Ask your child's school for a meal program application. You can do this at the beginning of the school year or at any time if circumstances change.
Summer meal programs and benefits
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The Summer Food Service Program (SUN Meals) offers one or more free meals during summer break. All children and teens 18 or younger qualify. There is no application process and no income limit. Search for a summer meals site near you.
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The SUN Bucks program gives eligible families in most states $120 per child during the summer to buy groceries. If you receive other benefits, such as SNAP or TANF, you may be automatically enrolled. Learn how to get SUN Bucks.