NEW ORLEANS - The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children (LPIC) and the First Five Years Fund (FFYF) have released new polling results showing overwhelming, bipartisan support among Louisiana voters for legislative action to address Louisiana’s growing child care needs and strengthen support for working families.
Growing Public Support for Child Care Action
According to the Sept. 2025 poll conducted by LPIC, FFYF, and UpONE Insights, 65% of Louisiana voters believe the state should do more to support working families with young children, including 49% of Republicans and 84% of Democrats. Additionally, 81% of respondents say the state is facing a “crisis” or “major problem” in child care access and affordability.
“Louisiana families are sending a clear message: child care must be a statewide economic priority,” said Libbie Sonnier, Ph.D., chief executive officer of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children. “Voters understand that when families can’t find or afford care, our entire workforce and economy suffer. This is a call for policymakers to act.”
Child Care Breakdowns and Workforce Consequences
The data shows a major shift in public perception of child care, with voters now clearly recognizing it as an issue impacting the workforce, productivity, and long-term economic growth of the state. Voters do not see child care as a private responsibility of parents: 83% of voters said access to affordable child care is “essential” or “very important” to Louisiana’s economy, and 69% view investment in early childhood programs as a smart economic strategy for the state.
Research in Louisiana and nationwide shows that unreliable or unaffordable child care leads to higher absenteeism, lower productivity, and increased employee turnover. The Louisiana Department of Education estimates that child-care-related work disruptions cost the state’s economy more than $1 billion each year through lost earnings, reduced business productivity, and lower tax revenue.
A 2023 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation study similarly found that more than half of working parents reported missing work because of child care breakdowns, with employers citing the strain on scheduling, training costs, and retention. These disruptions disproportionately impact mothers, who are more likely to scale back hours or leave the workforce entirely when care is unavailable.
Voter Opinion
“Voters across the political spectrum recognize that child care is essential to Louisiana’s workforce participation, business growth, and long-term economic success, making it a bipartisan issue that continues to unite voters across the state,” said Sarah Rittling, executive director of the First Five Years Fund.
The poll also revealed broad, cross-party consensus among Democrats, Republicans, and Independents who support increasing public investment in early childhood programs and oppose cuts to programs such as Child Care Assistance and LA4. Notably, nearly 40% of voters said they would be more likely to cross party lines to support a candidate who advances policies that help working parents afford quality child care.
Voters don’t see this as Congress’s responsibility alone, they want action at the state level. Two-thirds of Louisianans say the state should take the lead on early childhood issues rather than relying solely on Congress, and three-fourths agree that supporting working families with young children is a smart investment.
“The results are unequivocal — supporting child care isn’t just good policy, it’s what Louisiana voters demand,” Sonnier said. “There’s a statewide mandate from voters to invest in early childhood education. The state’s economic future depends on how we respond to this moment.”
UpONE Insights surveyed 500 registered Louisiana voters between Sept. 8 -13 using text-to-web telephone interviews. The survey has a margin of error of ±4.4%. Visit here to view statewide poll results.
About Louisiana Policy Institute for Children
Louisiana Policy Institute for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that Louisiana's young children, from birth to age four, are best prepared for success in school and in life.
The Policy Institute develops policy proposals informed by data, research, best practices, and the experiences of other states to improve the outcomes of Louisiana’s youngest citizens and further provides educational and outreach activities based on recommended policy solutions. The organization works to ensure children are safe, healthy, and have the opportunity to reach their full potential. For more information, visit www.policyinstitutela.org.
About First Five Years Fund
The First Five Years Fund states that it works to protect, prioritize, and build bipartisan support for quality child care and early learning programs at the federal level. In a statement they said that reliable, affordable, and high-quality early learning and child care can be transformative, not only enhancing a child's prospects for a brighter future but also bolstering working parents and fostering economic stability nationwide.
