New Poll Reveals Dramatic Bipartisan Voter Support for Increased State Funding for Child Care & Pre-K Programs

HARRISBURG, PA (May 1, 2025) — Just as the Pennsylvania 2025-26 state budget negotiations begin; partners of the Early Learning PA Coalition are releasing new polling data showing strong voter support for early childhood care and education programs and increased state funding to strengthen and grow these services.

The statewide poll, commissioned by the Early Learning PA Coalition and conducted by Susquehanna Polling and Research of 700 likely voters from March 17 – March 23, 2025, found that:

• 98% of PA voters believe that early childhood education is important.

  • Crosstab Detail – (Democrats 99%, Independents 100% and Republicans 95%)

• 73% of PA voters support increasing state funding to serve more eligible children in pre-k programs.

  • Crosstab Detail – (Democrats 83%, Independents 75% and Republicans 62%)

• 73% of PA voters support increasing state funding to help more low-income working families afford high-quality child care.

  • Crosstab Detail – (Democrats 84%, Independents 61% and Republicans 65%)

• 83% of PA voters support the use of state and/or federal government funding to pay for the Head Start program.

  • Crosstab Detail – (Democrats 89%, Independents 79% and Republicans 78%)

• 83% of PA voters favor allocating state funding to increase wages of child care workers.

  • Crosstab Detail – (Democrats 90%, Independents 82% and Republicans 76%)

• 72% of PA voters favor allocating state funding to increase compensation for pre-k teachers.

  • Crosstab Detail – (Democrats 84%, Independents 68% and Republicans 59%)