Delaware

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Strategy Name Strategy Type(s) Year Funding Amount Funding Source Features at a Glance
Delaware Purchase of Care Program
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-k Sources: 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.
  • Workforce
    • Pay Increases
    		 2022 $20 million
    State operating budget
    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-k Sources: 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.
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    Demographics Link copied!

    Demographics Data Scorecard

    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 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

    4.0% Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2024

    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

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    Child Population by Race and Ethnicity Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

    Race and Ethnicity

    • American Indian and Alaska Native (.5%)
    • Asian (4%)
    • Black or African American (26%)
    • Hispanic or Latino (17%)
    • Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander (.5%)
    • Two or more races (6%)
    • White, not Hispanic or Latino (47%)
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    Year 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
    Governor D D D D D
    State House D D D D D
    State Senate D D D D D
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    Early Childhood Education Programs Link copied!

    Early Childhood Education Programs

    Program Name Program Length* Universal or Targeted Pre-K Policy State Spending Per Child
    Delaware Early Childhood Assistance Program (ECAP) Source: NIEER 2023 Targeted Pre-K Policy (3- and 4-Year-Olds) Source: NIEER 2023
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    2023 Percent of 3-Year-Olds Enrolled in Early Childhood Education Programs Source: NIEER 2023

    Programs

    • Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Early Childhood Education Programs (2%)
    • 3-Year-old Children Enrolled in Head Start (5%)
    • Other/None (93%)
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    2023 Percent of 4-Year-Olds Enrolled in Early Childhood Education Programs Source: NIEER 2023

    Programs

    • Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Early Childhood Education Programs (5%)
    • 4-Year-old Children Enrolled in Head Start (6%)
    • Other/None (88%)
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    Workforce Link copied!

    2017–2019 Median Hourly Wages Source CSCCE 2018, 2020

    Role

    • Child Care Workers
      $10.68 (2017, adjusted)
      $10.6 (2019)
    • Preschool Teachers
      $13.12 (2017, adjusted)
      $12.62 (2019)
    • Preschool or Child Care Center Directors
      $25.56 (2017, adjusted)
      $25.98 (2019)
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    Funding Sources Link copied!

    Federal and State Early Childhood Education Funding (in Millions) Source First Five Years Fund, 2024

    Funding Source

    • Head Start and Early Head Start Funding ($22.1)
    • CCDBG & Mandatory Funds ($33.3)
    • CCDBG State Match ($4.1)
    • State-Funded Pre-K ($8.8)
    • MIECHV ($4.3)
    • IDEA Part C ($2.6)
    • IDEA Part B, Sec 619 ($1.4)
    • TANF Early Learning and Care ($56)
    • Preschool Development Grant Birth ($8)
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