New Poll: Ohio’s Child Care Crisis Threatens Workforce Growth, Requires Federal Action

Columbus, OH – September 30, 2025 – On behalf of Groundwork Ohio and the Ohio Head Start Association, Inc., and in partnership with First Five Years Fund, UpONE Insights conducted a statewide survey of 600 registered voters in Ohio. The survey was conducted September 8-13, 2025. View the poll briefing here.

Key Findings:

1. Child care is in crisis. Nearly 80% of Ohio voters and voters across the nation say the ability of working parents to find and afford quality child care is either in a “state of crisis” or is a “major problem.”
   

2. Child care drives workforce participation. More than one-third (34%) of Ohioans – and 56% of Ohio parents – say they or someone they know would consider entering the workforce if quality child care were available. 
   

3. Child care shapes voting behavior. By more than a two-to-one margin (36%), Ohioans say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate of the opposite political party if that candidate advanced policies to help working families afford quality child care.

“Ohio voters across the political spectrum recognize that the child care crisis fuels the workforce crisis,” said Lynanne Gutierrez, President & CEO of Groundwork Ohio. “Voters across party lines are willing to act on the recognition of this problem to support candidates who prioritize public investments and solutions.”

“This poll shows that Ohioans of every political background see affordable, quality child care as essential to our workforce and our economy,” said Julie Stone, Executive Director of the Ohio Head Start Association, Inc. “When nearly 80 percent of voters agree on the urgency of this issue, it sends a powerful message to policymakers that supporting child care and Head Start isn’t partisan—it’s common sense.”

Working Families will Lose Child Care without Congressional Action

Ohio families rely on federal funding as the primary funding source for both publicly funded child care and Head Start. This critical investment supports access to quality child care for more than 100,000 children of working families birth through age five. Ohio families will lose access to care if these programs are cut.

Call to Action

Groundwork Ohio and the Ohio Head Start Association, Inc. are in Washington, D.C. today meeting with Ohio’s congressional delegation as a potential federal government shutdown looms. They are urging Congress to protect and increase investments in CCDBG and Head Start to meet the urgent needs of Ohio’s children, families, and economy.

Ohioans can help.

Contact your Member of Congress today and tell them to safeguard and strengthen federal funding for child care and Head Start. Your voice can make the difference for tens of thousands of Ohio children and working families.

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About Groundwork Ohio

Groundwork Ohio is a nonpartisan public-policy research and advocacy organization that champions high-quality early learning and healthy development strategies from the prenatal period to age 5, that lay a strong foundation for Ohio kids, families, and communities. We advance quality early childhood systems in Ohio by engaging, educating, and mobilizing diverse stakeholders and strategic partners to promote data driven and evidence-based early childhood policies. Learn more at groundworkohio.org.

About the Ohio Head Start Association, Inc.

Head Start—the nation’s premier early learning program—is child-centered, family-focused, comprehensive, and community-based. In Ohio, it helps parents participate in the workforce while preparing children to succeed in school and beyond. The Ohio Head Start Association, Inc. (OHSAI) represents Ohio’s Head Start grantees, staff, and families. OHSAI works to keep the Head Start community informed, build collaborative partnerships, and engage with state and federal coalitions to support this proven investment in children and families that promotes healthy development, strengthens family stability, and contributes to Ohio’s economic vitality. Learn more at ohsai.org.

About First Five Years Fund

The first five years last forever. At First Five Years Fund, we work to protect, prioritize, and build bipartisan support for early learning and child care programs at the federal level. 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. Learn more at www.ffyf.org.

About UpONE Insights

UpONE Insights is a leader in providing both quantitative and qualitative research to shape tomorrow’s narratives through understanding data. Founded by Robert Blizzard, UpONE Insights is at the forefront of modern polling and research. Learn more at upONEinsights.com.