New United WE Research Recommends Steps to Expand Child Care Access in Arkansas
Findings reveal need to streamline processes, support providers, and expand access to early childhood education
LITTLE ROCK, AR — Finding that more than half of rural Arkansas qualifies as a “child care desert,” a new study released today by United WE, in partnership with the Office for Education Policy (OEP) at the University of Arkansas, makes recommendations for expanding access to early childhood education in the state – particularly by reducing administrative burdens and licensing barriers.
The report, “Early Childhood Care and Education in Arkansas - Licensing Policy and Practice Report,” is the result of a year-long study and highlights key structural and financial obstacles that limit the availability of quality early childhood education programs throughout the state. Drawing on interviews with early childhood experts and providers from urban, suburban, and rural areas, the research identifies concrete ways to strengthen Arkansas’s child care system to better serve women, families, and communities.
“Access to affordable, high-quality child care is foundational to a strong workforce and a thriving economy,” said Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of United WE. “Fixing our broken care economy will take sustained effort and investment, but our research shows that there are simple and cost-effective steps that cities and states can take – like reducing licensing barriers – to expand the supply of child care options and ultimately lower costs for families.”
Among the report’s findings:
Over half of rural Arkansas qualifies as "childcare deserts," where there are insufficient child care options to meet local demand.
Infant care at a center rated at the highest quality level costs more than $15,000 annually, which equates to about 26% of the median household income.
Providers consistently reported that the licensing system, while strong in its intent, imposes significant burdens due to how requirements are implemented. Key challenges included confusing standards, overlapping inspections, frequent on-site visits, and inconsistent guidance from licensing specialists.
The study makes recommendations in six categories to create a more efficient, accessible, and high-quality early childhood education system in Arkansas:
Reduce Licensing and Regulatory Burdens: Further streamline licensing, enhance provider and specialist support, and improve collaboration with local governments.
Reduce Financial Barriers: Provide financial support through subsidies for background checks, state-backed insurance options, and grants or low-interest loans for facility upgrades and compliance.
Address Workforce Shortages: Expand workforce support by offering low-cost professional development, creating career pathways for entry-level staff, and coordinating background checks to reduce redundancy.
Modernize Zoning and Land Use Codes: Modernize zoning and land-use codes to permit child care in residential and mixed-use areas, establish pre-approved “Child Care Zones,” and simplify applications for compliance.
Reduce Dependence on Federal Funding: Diversify funding sources to reduce dependence on federal funding by expanding state-level support, creating public-private partnerships, and offering flexible grants or loans.
Revitalize Family Child Care Programs: Recruit and sustain family child care homes in rural areas by replicating successful pilot programs, pairing new providers with mentorship, and providing business development support.
The report also identified rural-specific barriers – such as workforce shortages and geography isolation – that make it even harder for Arkansans in rural communities to access child care. Over half of rural Arkansas qualifies as a "childcare desert," where there are insufficient child care options to meet local demand. To address these challenges, the report recommends targeted strategies to revitalize family home care programs, such as the Growing Opportunities for Family Child Care (GOFCC) project.
The study is available for download at: https://www.united-we.org/s/Arkansas-Child-Care-Licensing-Report_UWE.pdf
United WE’s national study of child care licensing in all 50 states is available at: https://www.united-we.org/s/20240711-Reducing-Burdens-on-Childcare-Providers-FINAL-DESIGNED.pdf
A recording of the press conference can be found here.
