The Arkansas Department of Education issued a press release Friday, September 19, 2025 announcing that a sliding-scale reimbursement structure would take effect October 1 for its School Readiness Assistance Program to “prioritize access for working families and manage program demand responsibly.” The changes aim to reduce the program’s waitlist and sustain services statewide, the department said.
Funded through the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant, the program provides financial assistance for child care to eligible, low-income families while parents work or attend school. The program currently serves more than 16,000 children in Arkansas. In February, the state created a waitlist (which now has around 1,100 children on it) so seats could be offered as funding became available, according to ADE.
In a statement Wednesday, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families said the changes to the program will make child care for eligible families less affordable, create barriers for providers to offer high-quality care and make it difficult for providers to keep programs running. The nonprofit called on the education department to delay the changes and solicit input from child care providers, families and community members who depend on quality child care programs…