Missouri budget proposal focuses on bolstering child care system
CARTHAGE, Mo. — The need for more daycare space has been an ongoing challenge in Missouri, one that may get some extra attention moving forward.
“We want to be the best that we can be for our parents and our families and our kids,” said Kelley Renfro, Kidz Club Owner.
Making for busy days at the Kidz Club daycare in Carthage, where there are 45 little ones.
“As far as I know, there are wait lists everywhere, and always have been. And our, like I said, we’re full capacity, and our wait list is very long,” said Renfro.
Kelley Renfro opened her daycare less than a year ago. It filled up fast, but that doesn’t make it an easy business to be in.
“Staffing has been challenging just because we in childcare work long hours, but we only make minimum wage and have raises here there, but we don’t want to have to charge the parents a lot of money,” said Renfro.
Kelley and other daycares could be getting some help.
The proposed Missouri state budget for 2026 includes about 120 million dollars in subsidies and grants to help start new child care operations, and make existing ones stronger & more cost-effective.
Advocacy group “Kids Win Missouri” says this will quote “significantly strengthen child care infrastructure and affordability across the state.”
“Child care in the more business sense, is different today, and it’s expensive, and so the question of providing child care, that’s both quality and affordable, is not an easy. So we’ve made some nicely provisions to help,” said MO Rep. Lane Roberts, R.
The current budget includes a $500 increase to the child tax credit.
That’s now on the Governor’s desk awaiting final approval of the spending plan.
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