PA Voters Strongly Support Early Care and Education Funding - But Staffing Crisis Cuts 22,000 Slots
Public backing runs high, yet 2,600 vacant positions continue to shrink access to early care and education across Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG, PA (May 18, 2026)– A new statewide poll released today reveals that Pennsylvania voters are strongly united in their support for increased state funding for early childhood care and education. However, newly released provider data show a deepening staffing crisis that is preventing thousands of children from accessing care—a crisis driven by wages that do not meet the cost of living in any part of the state.
The survey, conducted by Susquehanna Polling and Research from March 9–17, 2026, shows overwhelming, cross-partisan support for early learning investments among 705 likely voters (margin of error: +/- 3.7%). But polling results stand in stark contrast to on-the-ground realities faced by child care providers.
According to the April 2026 Start Strong PA survey of 1,141 child care providers, representing just 17.4% of Pennsylvania’s licensed providers, there are currently more than 2,600 open staff positions across the commonwealth. If those positions were filled, nearly 22,000 more children could be served.