Kentucky
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| Strategy Name | Strategy Type(s) | Year | Funding Amount | Funding Source | Features at a Glance | |
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Certified Child Care Community Designation Program
In April 2024, Governor Andy Beshear signed HB 561 into law, which created the Certified Child Care Community Designation Program, which aims to increase the supply of child care and early education services by encouraging local governments to take voluntary actions related to zoning rules and regulatory fees. It also intends to promote local engagement in solving child care challenges.
The Certified Child Care Community Designation Program is operated jointly by the Council of Area Development Districts and the Cabinet for Economic Development. It encourages, but does not mandate, local governments, area development districts, and community stakeholders to work together to obtain the “Certified Child Care Community” designation. Local governments receive this designation by removing zoning and regulatory barriers that, according to advocates, discourage people from becoming in-home providers. The designation also encourages initiatives such as creating local child care councils and adopting best practices for local regulations related to child care.
Though HB 561 has been signed into law, it has yet to be fully implemented due to insufficient funding. The law was one of 20 bills and two resolutions passed during the 2024 legislative session without enough funding attached for Governor Beshear’s administration to implement them.
HB 561 also made recommendations for local governments to use when evaluating local ordinances, regulations, and land-use rules related to child care services.
learn more: certified child care community designation program
Sources:
Ladd, S. (2024). House bill encouraging local governments to meet child care challenges moves to full Senate. Kentucky Lantern.
Kentucky Collaborative for Child Care. (2025). A Foundation for Action: Shared Solutions to Child Care Challenges in Kentucky.
Vanover, S. (2024). KYGA24: Sustaining the Child Care Sector. Kentucky Youth Advocates.
Ladd, S. (2024). House committee advances child care bill that could free up zoning issues. Kentucky Lantern.
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2024 |
HB 561 created the Certified Child Care Community Designation Program, which aims to increase the supply of child care and early education services by encouraging local governments to take voluntary actions related to zoning rules and regulatory fees
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In April 2024, Governor Andy Beshear signed HB 561 into law, which created the Certified Child Care Community Designation Program, which aims to increase the supply of child care and early education services by encouraging local governments to take voluntary actions related to zoning rules and regulatory fees. It also intends to promote local engagement in solving child care challenges.
The Certified Child Care Community Designation Program is operated jointly by the Council of Area Development Districts and the Cabinet for Economic Development. It encourages, but does not mandate, local governments, area development districts, and community stakeholders to work together to obtain the “Certified Child Care Community” designation. Local governments receive this designation by removing zoning and regulatory barriers that, according to advocates, discourage people from becoming in-home providers. The designation also encourages initiatives such as creating local child care councils and adopting best practices for local regulations related to child care.
Though HB 561 has been signed into law, it has yet to be fully implemented due to insufficient funding. The law was one of 20 bills and two resolutions passed during the 2024 legislative session without enough funding attached for Governor Beshear’s administration to implement them.
HB 561 also made recommendations for local governments to use when evaluating local ordinances, regulations, and land-use rules related to child care services.
learn more: certified child care community designation program
Sources:
Ladd, S. (2024). House bill encouraging local governments to meet child care challenges moves to full Senate. Kentucky Lantern.
Kentucky Collaborative for Child Care. (2025). A Foundation for Action: Shared Solutions to Child Care Challenges in Kentucky.
Vanover, S. (2024). KYGA24: Sustaining the Child Care Sector. Kentucky Youth Advocates.
Ladd, S. (2024). House committee advances child care bill that could free up zoning issues. Kentucky Lantern.
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Child Care Assistance for Child Care Providers
In 2022, Kentucky legislators moved to make employees of licensed center-based or family child care programs automatically eligible for child care subsidies via the state’s Child Care Assistance Program, regardless of their household income. The policy was adopted by emergency administrative rulemaking in August 2022 and was simultaneously introduced through the ordinary rulemaking process, taking effect in October 2022. The program was initially paid for with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds but was financed for two additional years in FY24 using state general funds.
Employees of licensed center-based or family child care programs who work 20 or more hours per week are automatically eligible for the Child Care Assistance Program. After one year of the program’s operation, 3,200 caregivers employed in early education programs and 5,600 children had benefitted from the program.
learn more: kentucky child care assistance for child care providers
Sources:
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). (2022, December). Providing Child Care for Child Care Providers: A Strategy for Addressing Staffing Shortages and Compensation for Early Childhood Educators.
Powell, A., & Dade, A. (2023). What the Bluegrass State Can Teach Us About Increasing Access to Child Care. Center for the Study of Child Care Employment.
Hsu, A. (2023). Kentucky had an outside-the-box idea to fix child care worker shortages. It's working. NPR.
Loewenberg, A. (2024). In Effort to Entice Child Care Staff, More States Follow Kentucky’s Lead. Alliance for Early Success.
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2022 |
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Employees of licensed center-based or family child care programs are automatically eligible for child care subsidies via the state’s Child Care Assistance Program, regardless of their household income
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In 2022, Kentucky legislators moved to make employees of licensed center-based or family child care programs automatically eligible for child care subsidies via the state’s Child Care Assistance Program, regardless of their household income. The policy was adopted by emergency administrative rulemaking in August 2022 and was simultaneously introduced through the ordinary rulemaking process, taking effect in October 2022. The program was initially paid for with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds but was financed for two additional years in FY24 using state general funds.
Employees of licensed center-based or family child care programs who work 20 or more hours per week are automatically eligible for the Child Care Assistance Program. After one year of the program’s operation, 3,200 caregivers employed in early education programs and 5,600 children had benefitted from the program.
learn more: kentucky child care assistance for child care providers
Sources:
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). (2022, December). Providing Child Care for Child Care Providers: A Strategy for Addressing Staffing Shortages and Compensation for Early Childhood Educators.
Powell, A., & Dade, A. (2023). What the Bluegrass State Can Teach Us About Increasing Access to Child Care. Center for the Study of Child Care Employment.
Hsu, A. (2023). Kentucky had an outside-the-box idea to fix child care worker shortages. It's working. NPR.
Loewenberg, A. (2024). In Effort to Entice Child Care Staff, More States Follow Kentucky’s Lead. Alliance for Early Success.
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Child Development Specialist Youth Apprenticeship
In 2000, House Bill 706 allocated 25% of the Kentucky Tobacco Settlement Fund to support early childhood programs. Kentucky provides three apprenticeship options in early childhood education: the Child Development Specialist Youth Apprenticeship, Early Childhood Instructor Apprenticeship, and Early Childhood Program Administrator/Director Apprenticeship. Apprentices in these programs receive a national journey worker credential, graduated pay raises, and bonuses while working in a high-quality early care and education program. Employers do not have to bear any training costs, as progressive wage increases, mentor stipends, and milestone achievements are all covered by the apprenticeship program. High school juniors and seniors are eligible for the Youth Apprenticeship. Students enrolled in a registered Apprenticeship Program can also earn 9-12 college credit hours in an Early Childhood Program through the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. The majority of Youth Apprentices graduate with a Child Development Assistant certification.
Learn more: Kentucky Career Center
Sources:
Kentucky Governor's Office of Early Childhood. (n.d.). Growing the Early Childhood Workforce: Apprenticeships.
Kentucky Governor's Office of Early Childhood. (n.d.). Growing the Early Childhood Workforce: Youth Apprenticeships.
Kentucky Governor's Office of Early Childhood. (n.d.). Leadership.
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2000 |
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Part of Federal Registered Apprenticeship Program
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In 2000, House Bill 706 allocated 25% of the Kentucky Tobacco Settlement Fund to support early childhood programs. Kentucky provides three apprenticeship options in early childhood education: the Child Development Specialist Youth Apprenticeship, Early Childhood Instructor Apprenticeship, and Early Childhood Program Administrator/Director Apprenticeship. Apprentices in these programs receive a national journey worker credential, graduated pay raises, and bonuses while working in a high-quality early care and education program. Employers do not have to bear any training costs, as progressive wage increases, mentor stipends, and milestone achievements are all covered by the apprenticeship program. High school juniors and seniors are eligible for the Youth Apprenticeship. Students enrolled in a registered Apprenticeship Program can also earn 9-12 college credit hours in an Early Childhood Program through the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. The majority of Youth Apprentices graduate with a Child Development Assistant certification.
Learn more: Kentucky Career Center
Sources:
Kentucky Governor's Office of Early Childhood. (n.d.). Growing the Early Childhood Workforce: Apprenticeships.
Kentucky Governor's Office of Early Childhood. (n.d.). Growing the Early Childhood Workforce: Youth Apprenticeships.
Kentucky Governor's Office of Early Childhood. (n.d.). Leadership.
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Early Childhood Development Scholarships
In April 2000, the Kentucky Legislature passed HB 706, which created the Early Childhood Development Scholarship Program as part of the KIDS NOW initiative. The program supports child care workers seeking to advance their professional skills and qualifications in early childhood education.
The Early Childhood Development Scholarship program is a collaboration between the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, and the Kentucky Governor’s Office of Early Childhood. To qualify, individuals must be employed at least 20 hours per week in a licensed child care program, including Type 1 and Type 2 settings or certified family homes:
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2000 |
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
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Program supports child care workers seeking to advance their professional skills and qualifications in early childhood education
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In April 2000, the Kentucky Legislature passed HB 706, which created the Early Childhood Development Scholarship Program as part of the KIDS NOW initiative. The program supports child care workers seeking to advance their professional skills and qualifications in early childhood education.
The Early Childhood Development Scholarship program is a collaboration between the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, and the Kentucky Governor’s Office of Early Childhood. To qualify, individuals must be employed at least 20 hours per week in a licensed child care program, including Type 1 and Type 2 settings or certified family homes:
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Kentucky Data Collaborative and Kentucky Longitudinal Data System
Created in 2012, the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS) maintains the Kentucky Longitudinal Data System (KLDS), a statewide longitudinal data system that includes data on kindergarten readiness, birth statistics, and early learning programs’ enrollments/ratings. The KLDS functions as a data warehouse for data from multiple agencies, including Kentucky Department of Education and Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. The warehouse links and merges demographic, program, and individual level-data from early learning services through workforce for evaluation, research, monitoring, and public information purposes. The individual data is deidentified with a unique identifier. Data is accessible via request with a data-sharing agreement required for all deidentified individual level data.
KYSTATS, which builds upon the work of the state’s P-20 Data Collaborative, was given authority to maintain the KLDS through KRS151B.132. KYSTATS is funded through state appropriations, federal Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems Grants, other grants, and user fees.
Learn More: Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS) History
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2012 |
Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems Grants, User Fees
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P-20 Longitudinal Data System
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Created in 2012, the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS) maintains the Kentucky Longitudinal Data System (KLDS), a statewide longitudinal data system that includes data on kindergarten readiness, birth statistics, and early learning programs’ enrollments/ratings. The KLDS functions as a data warehouse for data from multiple agencies, including Kentucky Department of Education and Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. The warehouse links and merges demographic, program, and individual level-data from early learning services through workforce for evaluation, research, monitoring, and public information purposes. The individual data is deidentified with a unique identifier. Data is accessible via request with a data-sharing agreement required for all deidentified individual level data.
KYSTATS, which builds upon the work of the state’s P-20 Data Collaborative, was given authority to maintain the KLDS through KRS151B.132. KYSTATS is funded through state appropriations, federal Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems Grants, other grants, and user fees.
Learn More: Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS) History
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Kentucky Tobacco Settlement Fund
Since 1998, Kentucky has allocated 25% of funds from the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement to early childhood care and education programs. In 2021, the annual revenue directed towards the state early childhood office was $7.4 million.
Learn More: An unexpected windfall for early childhood education
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1998 | $7.4 million |
State Dedicated Funding Stream
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In 2021, Tobacco Master Settlement funds generated $7.4 million to support the state early childhood office
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Since 1998, Kentucky has allocated 25% of funds from the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement to early childhood care and education programs. In 2021, the annual revenue directed towards the state early childhood office was $7.4 million.
Learn More: An unexpected windfall for early childhood education
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Demographics Link copied!
Demographics Data Scorecard
State population
4,512,310 Source U.S. Census, 2022
Rural %
41.3% Source U.S. Census, 2020
Urban %
58.7% Source U.S. Census, 2020
Number of children 0–4
265,121 Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Poverty levels - children 0—8 below 200% poverty
47% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Median family income among households with children
$69,200.00 Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Unemployment rate
4.6% Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2024
Unemployment rate of parents
4% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Children under age 6 with all available parents in the labor force
64% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Children living in households with a high housing cost burden
34% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Child Population by Race and Ethnicity Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Race and Ethnicity
- American Indian and Alaska Native (0.49%)
- Asian (2%)
- Black or African American (9%)
- Hispanic or Latino (7%)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander (0.49%)
- Two or more races (5%)
- White, not Hispanic or Latino (77%)
| Year | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
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| Governor | D | D | D | R | R |
| State House | R | R | R | R | R |
| State Senate | R | R | R | R | R |
Early Childhood Education Programs Link copied!
Early Childhood Education Programs
| Program Name | Program Length* | Universal or Targeted Pre-K Policy | State Spending Per Child |
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| Kentucky Preschool Program (KPP) Source: NIEER 2023 | Targeted Pre-K Policy (4-Year-Olds) Source: NIEER 2023 |
3-Year-Olds Enrolled in Early Childhood Education Programs NIEER 2023
Programs
- Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Pre-K
- Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Head Start
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Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Special Education
0% (2021), 0% (2022), 0% (2023) - Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Other/None
4-Year-Olds Enrolled in Early Childhood Education Programs NIEER 2023
Programs
- Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Pre-K
- Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Head Start
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Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Special Education
0% (2021), 0% (2022) - Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Other/None
Workforce Link copied!
2017–2019 Median Hourly Wages Source CSCCE 2018, 2020
Role
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Child Care Workers
$9.71 (2017, adjusted)
$9.89 (2019) -
Preschool Teachers
$16.2 (2017, adjusted)
$14.42 (2019) -
Preschool or Child Care Center Directors
$21.77 (2017, adjusted)
$17.30 (2019)
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 ($185.7)
- CCDBG & Mandatory Funds ($200)
- CCDBG State Match ($11.6)
- State-Funded Pre-K ($112.6)
- MIECHV ($7.8)
- IDEA Part C ($7.1)
- IDEA Part B, Sec 619 ($11.2)
- TANF Early Learning and Care ($19.7)
- Preschool Development Grant Birth ($11.9)