New survey shows bipartisan support for reducing childcare costs

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — According to a survey by the First Five Years Fund, more than 31,000 children and families rely on the childcare sector daily. However, there are fewer providers with an added problem of cost.

In 2025, the average family was spending $18,000 a year on childcare, around $1,500 a month.

The Voice of The People surveyed 800 adults across Nebraska on four proposed government assistance programs, all designed to make raising children less expensive.

One of the four is the Free Universal Preschool, this would be a $25 billion grant from the federal government to states or cities to create or expand free preschool programs. From the survey, 78% of Democrats supported the proposal while 66% of Republicans supported it as well.

The second proposal is the Childcare Subsidies which would provide funds to states to help parents cover some of the cost of childcare, so that low and middle income families spend no more than 7% if their income on childcare. 83% of Democrats from the survey supported this proposal while 67% of Republicans did as well.

Thirdly, the Bigger Child Tax Credit would increase the child tax credit back to $3,600 per child and make it fully refundable again. From those surveyed, 83% of Democrats supported this proposal while 77% of Republicans did as well.

Finally, the Paid Family and Medial Leave proposal would let employees take up to 12 weeks of leave, receiving 2/3 of their wages, in order to take care of a sick family member or if they themselves were ill. 72% of Democrats supported this proposal while 57% of Republicans also did.

According to The Voice of the People, their survey shows that Democrats and Republicans share common ground when it comes to childcare and parenting. They say that both parties agree the federal government could help ease the financial burden on parents that is seen nationally.