In September 2023, Count on Mothers examined mothers' views on the Child Care for Working Families Act (S.1354), federal legislation expanding access to affordable childcare and preschool. The study combined a national survey of mothers across regions and the political spectrum with in-depth interviews with mothers from conservative, moderate, and liberal backgrounds to provide qualitative context. Mothers showed strong cross-partisan support for the bill — including consensus on preschool access, childcare affordability limits, and federal-state cost sharing — with more variation on eligibility thresholds and workforce compensation. The findings were shared with the public and Congressional legislators to inform deliberations on childcare policy.

Related themes:

Shared Priorities and Cross-Partisan Alignment Among Mothers

• Broad national and ideological representation:
  The study reflects input from mothers in 47 states and across the political spectrum, supplemented by in-depth interviews capturing lived experience.
• Strong alignment on preschool access:
  Mothers across all political ideologies agreed that families should have greater access to quality preschool programs for 3- and 4-year-olds.
• Widespread support for childcare affordability:
  With the exception of some very conservative mothers, respondents overwhelmingly agreed that families should not spend more than 7% of household income on childcare.
• Support for federal–state cost sharing:
  Mothers across political backgrounds generally supported a funding structure in which the federal government covers 90% of childcare infrastructure costs and states cover 10% during the first two years.
• Mixed views on eligibility and workforce compensation:
  Mothers were divided on whether families earning less than 85% of state median income should receive free childcare and on whether childcare workers should be paid at parity with elementary school teachers.
• Overall support with ideological variation:
  While mothers broadly supported the bill, very conservative mothers were more divided on several provisions.

Source: Count on Mothers, Mothers' Views on the Child Care for Working Families Act, September 2023. Community panel survey of U.S. mothers, n=354, with six in-depth qualitative interviews. Research led by a PhD-credentialed researcher.

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