Sánchez, Conaway, Foushee, Barragán, Pressley, Chu introduce bill to expand child care access

WASHINGTON — Representatives Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.), Herb Conaway Jr., MD (D-N.J.), Valerie Foushee (D-N.C.), Nanette Díaz Barragán (D-Calif.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), and Judy Chu (D-Calif.) introduced the Expanding Child Care Access Act, a bill to provide a refundable tax credit of up to $5,000 to cover the startup expenses of new family child care businesses once they receive a state family child care license or registration.

Family child care, also known as home-based child care or in-home daycares operate in a provider's home and are usually smaller and closer to children's homes or parents' places of work than larger child care centers. Family child care can serve families facing obstacles in accessing child care, including families who work outside of traditional hours, reside in rural areas, have young children, or have limited English proficiency. 

"We’re facing a child care crisis in this country, with far too few options for working parents,” said Congresswoman Sánchez. “We need to make it easier for family child care providers to open their doors to help fill that gap. These smaller, often more affordable care options are a lifeline for families, and our bill will provide the support needed to help more of them get started."

"Family child care is often the most feasible option for parents, as these providers tend to be smaller and located closer to children's homes or parents' workplaces," said Congressman Conaway Jr., MD. "Starting a family child care business can be daunting, but I believe that anyone committed to supporting working parents should have access to robust resources. That’s why I’m proud to introduce the Expanding Child Care Access Act—a bill that will not only help family child care businesses get off the ground but also benefit parents seeking quality care for their children."

“Rising costs are forcing child care facilities to consolidate or close, leaving families without access to the affordable, quality child care that they need,” said Congresswoman Foushee. “As a parent, I understand the strain that these costs can have on working families, and the importance of supporting early learning programs for our children. That’s why I am proud to reintroduce the Expanding Child Care Access Act alongside my colleagues, which will lessen financial burdens for families, ensure long-term success for those seeking to establish child care centers within their communities, and expand child care access across the country.”

“The high cost of child care and shortage of child care providers in America are ongoing crises, straining family budgets and pushing millions of Americans out of the workforce who are majority women and disproportionately women of color. In California, the shortage of child care is so acute for working families that two out of five children are without stable child care,” said Congresswoman Chu. “We need a host of solutions to address this child care crisis, including encouraging the creation of in-home daycare facilities run out of providers’ homes. That’s why I’m helping lead the introduction of the Expanding Child Care Access Act of 2025 that would create a new refundable tax credit for up-front costs for these small businesses, which are currently majority women-owned, and expand the availability of quality, affordable child care options for families everywhere.”

“The lack of affordable child care in the United States has burdened working families for far too long,” said Congresswoman Barragán. “One step to address this issue is to invest in our child care workers, the majority of whom are women and women of color. This is why I am proud to co-lead the Expanding Child Care Access Act, a bill that will provide financial support to the child care workforce and increase the accessibility and affordability of child care for our communities.”
 

"The Expanding Child Care Access Act of 2025 embodies the bold, forward-thinking solutions we need to build a stronger, more resilient America. Family child care educators are the unsung heroes in our child care system, serving families where larger centers cannot. This bill fuels entrepreneurship, strengthens the economy, and expands access to high-quality care for working families by offering a refundable tax credit for startup costs. Congressman Conaway’s leadership envisions a future where every family has the support they need to thrive, and every early educator has the tools to succeed." said Erica Phillips, executive director of the National Association for Family Child Care.
 

This legislation is also endorsed by the National Women’s Law Center, National Association for Family Child Care, Center for Law and Social Policy, and ZERO TO THREE
 

A copy of the bill text can be found here.