Delaware
Policy Strategies & Innovations Link copied!
| Innovation Name | Innovation Type | Innovation Subtype | Features at a Glance | Strategy Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware Purchase of Care Program | Workforce | Benefits | 15 percent increase to rates paid to child care providers |
In June 2022, Delaware’s Joint Finance Committee voted to add $20.07 million to Delaware's Purchase of Care program (POC), which is the state’s subsidy for child care for low-income families. This investment includes a 15 percent increase to the rates paid to child care providers who accept POC. The funds for POC will be ongoing and included in the operating budget, rather than contingent or one-time funding. Furthermore, House Bill 377, signed by Governor John Carney in October 2022, establishes that the Delaware Department of Education will conduct an annual study on early education professionals to further develop a plan to support the workforce. learn more: first state pre-kSources: First State Pre-K. (June 2022). Early Child Care Budget Update Rodel. (July 2022). The Education GA Ride Again. Delaware General Assembly. (October 2022). House Substitute 1 for House Bill 377. |
Demographics Link copied!
State population
1,018,396 Source U.S. Census, 2022
Rural %
17.4% Source U.S. Census, 2020
Urban %
82.6% Source U.S. Census, 2020
Number of children age 0-4
53,501 Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Poverty levels – children 0-8 below 200% poverty
39% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Median family income among households with children
$82,100.00 Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Unemployment rate
4.4% Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, December 2022
Unemployment rate of parents
5% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Children under age 6 with all available parents in the labor force
N/A
Children living in households with a high housing cost burden
31% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Political Landscape Link copied!
| Year | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | D | D | D | D | D |
| House | D | D | D | D | D |
| Senate | D | D | D | D | D |
Early Childhood Education Programs Link copied!
Public pre-K program name
Delaware Early Childhood Assistance Program (ECAP) Source: NIEER 2023
Universal or targeted pre-K policy
Targeted Pre-K Policy (3- and 4-Year-Olds) Source: NIEER 2023
Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Early Childhood Education Programs Source: NIEER 2023
Programs
- 3-year-old children enrolled in state-funded public pre-K (2%)
- 3-year-old children enrolled in Head Start (5%)
- Other/none (93%)
Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Early Childhood Education Programs Source: NIEER 2023
Programs
- 4-year-old children enrolled in state-funded public pre-K (5%)
- 4-year-old children enrolled in Head Start (6%)
- Other/none (88%)
Workforce Link copied!
2017–2019 Median Hourly Wages Source CSCCE 2018, 2020
Role
- Child care workers
- Preschool teachers
- Preschool or child care center directors
Funding Sources Link copied!
Funding acronyms: CCDBG: Child Care and Development Block Grant; CARES Act: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act; CRRSE Act: Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations; ARPA: American Rescue Plan Act; CCDF: Child Care and Development Fund; MIECHV: Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program; IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; TANF: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
The COVID Funding Cliff
All federal COVID relief allocations, including funding authorized by the CARES, CRRSE, and ARPA bills, must be fully spent by September 2024. An analysis from the Century Foundation shows this loss of funds could cause more than 3 million children to lose access to child care nationwide – including more than 18,000 children in Delaware.