Prince George’s County Advances “Roadmap to Universal Child Care”

Prince George’s County is taking significant steps toward universal child care with a comprehensive legislative package introduced by County Council Chair Krystal Oriadha. The “Roadmap to Universal Child Care” aims to address the growing affordability and accessibility challenges facing families in the county.

Rising Costs and Decreasing Availability

Child care availability in Prince George’s County has decreased by 5% since 2022, while costs have increased by more than 20% since 2017 [1]. Oriadha emphasized the strain this places on working families, stating that parents are often forced to make difficult choices between work and care for their children.

The Six-Part Legislative Package

The “Roadmap to Universal Child Care” consists of six bills and one resolution designed to confront affordability, expand access, and strengthen the quality of child care. Key components of the package include:

• CR152026: Establishes a nine-member Child Care Improvement Workgroup comprised of parents and experts to recommend improvements and expansions to child care services in the county [1].
• CB142026: Creates a child care navigator position within the Department of Family Services to develop a countywide strategic plan, coordinate with providers, and assist with licensing and inspections [3].
• CB152026: Launches a $500,000 loan program to help child care centers open, expand, or remain operational. Loans will be interest-free in the first year and offered at below-market rates thereafter [3].
• CB162026: Establishes the Early Start Child Care Scholarship Program, offering up to $3,000 per year for each child under three years old in families living inside the Capital Beltway with household incomes below 30% of the region’s median [3].
• CB172026: Creates a Quality of Life Improvement Fund supported by $5,000 Employ and Occupancy Permit fees on liquor stores, tobacco shops, firearms retailers, and self-storage businesses. Ten percent of the revenue will support the Early Start scholarships, and 5% will travel to the child care loan program [3].
• CB182026: Requires all child care providers to allow penalty-free contract termination if a parent loses a job, dies, or is deported [3].

Long-Term Vision for Universal Access

Oriadha’s long-term goal is to create a system where child care is affordable for all families, regardless of income. She envisions a system offering free-to-sliding-scale child care, recognizing it as a necessity for working parents and a vital component of the county’s economic health [1]. The current cost of child care is approximately $1,600 per child, creating a significant financial burden for many families.

Investing in the Future

Oriadha emphasized that investing in child care is an investment in the future of Prince George’s County. She believes that accessible and affordable child care is essential for building a strong workforce and creating a community where families can thrive [1].