The future of Kentucky’s economy depends on reliable, affordable care for children and working families, a truth that is now gaining broader recognition across the state. From our organization’s first childcare research commissioned by the University of Kentucky in the 1980s to our reports in the early 2000s to today, quality childcare has always been a fundamental issue in our communities. Unfortunately, the story hasn’t changed much over the years. In fact, the urgency has grown with the landscape around policy and with economic opportunity shifting in ways that deeply impact our rural communities.
Our blog from Fall 2024 highlighted several truths that still hold true:
- Many Eastern Kentucky counties have few or no licensed childcare providers
- Families often pay a disproportionate share of their income for care
- Lack of access continues to restrict job opportunities and local business growth
However, there are some new developments to report. As Kentucky heads into the 2026 General Assembly in January, childcare is finally gaining the kind of statewide attention that providers, parents and caretakers in Eastern Kentucky have been calling for. New data and new statewide priorities are aligning to make the upcoming session a critical opportunity for progress.
Lawmakers seem to understand that childcare is a workforce issue, not just a family issue. According to economic modeling from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, improving childcare access and affordability could enable 16,000 to 28,000 Kentuckians to join or return to the workforce. That translates to an estimated $599 million to $1.1 billion in new wages and state/local tax revenue.
At the Kentucky Chamber’s recent legislative preview event that Mountain Association attended, lawmakers and business leaders emphasized that childcare will be a central workforce priority in the 2026 General Assembly. Lawmakers from both parties pointed to childcare shortages as a direct barrier to workforce participation and business growth.
We are encouraged by this broad momentum heading into January for Eastern Kentucky, and the wider Commonwealth. We all stand to benefit significantly if legislators pair statewide reforms with targeted investments in rural communities. Mountain Association will continue to monitor childcare-related proposals and discussions in Frankfort and analyze how potential policies may affect families, providers, and employers in Eastern Kentucky.
