Of these kids, 86% live in communities with no supply of licensed childcare providers at all, according to the Center for American Progress report. The data highlights the need for greater investments in childcare programs, including more support for staff, Gibbs said. The state has aggressively expanded its public preschool programs in recent years, adding more than 1,800 seats in traditional public and charter schools since 2022. For some families, securing childcare has only become harder to navigate as they face delays with receiving state tuition subsidies. Last year, Russo’s daughters qualified for Preschool Open Doors, meaning that she paid only $28 a month for their preschool tuition.