Mississippi
Working families in Mississippi need accessible, affordable, quality child care and early learning opportunities for their children.
Currently, federal and state early learning programs reach thousands of young children and their families in Mississippi. But too many working families in Mississippi are missing out. As a direct result of child care issues, the Mississippi economy loses millions of dollars each year in the form of lost earnings, productivity, and revenue.
There are 214k children ages 5 and under in Mississippi – 65% of these children have all available parents in the workforce.
The typical annual cost of child care for an infant in Mississippi is around $8,186.
The Child Care and Development Block Grant only reaches 21% of eligible families. This federal program helps low-income parents afford child care.
On average, child care providers in Mississippi earn just $21,400 a year; this can make it a challenge to recruit and retain this workforce, leading to supply issues.
Mississippi’s economy loses $659M annually due to child care challenges
MISSISSIPPI: In The Headlines
Child care options are running out in rural areas
WXXV | May 9, 2025
In rural Greene County, parents searching for child care are running out of options. With just one daycare in the entire country, families are left waiting, worrying or commuting long distances.
New programs could increase child care availability in Mississippi
Mississippi Today | April 1, 2025
Mississippi recently received $30 million from the Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five.
Child care becoming increasingly harder to find in Mississippi
WCBI | April 1, 2025
Child care is increasingly harder to find in Mississippi. Especially for those with kids under two.
Mississippi Resources & News
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