“Thank you, Governor Shapiro, for recognizing that our workforce are professionals. The first three years — the first 1,000 days — of a child’s life are crucial for brain development. The positive relationships with caregivers during this period are absolutely essential for healthy development.”

“The inclusive and welcoming environment of this center filled with positive interactions drew me in and held my heart. And it’s all thanks to the incredible team here at CrossPoint, who deserve the support that Governor Shapiro is calling for in this year’s budget."

“The investments included in the Governor’s budget proposal are essential to strengthening and growing our child care sector.”

Harrisburg, PA – Since unveiling his budget proposal, Governor Josh Shapiro has visited child care providers in Dauphin and Allegheny counties to highlight his Administration’s commitment to addressing Pennsylvania’s child care shortage. His 2025-26 proposed budget makes historic investments in workforce development, with a targeted focus on strengthening the child care workforce and expanding access to affordable, high-quality care for families across the Commonwealth.

At CrossPoint Early Learning Center in Harrisburg, Governor Shapiro and Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh emphasized the need to expand child care access by investing in the workforce. In Pittsburgh, Governor Shapiro, Lt. Governor Austin Davis, and Second Lady Blayre Holmes Davis hosted a roundtable discussion at the YMCA Child Development Center at Duquesne University, bringing together child care workers, parents, and community leaders to discuss the Governor’s proposal.

Governor Shapiro’s proposed budget includes a $55 million investment in workforce recruitment and retention grants, which will provide at least $1,000 in bonuses per employee working in licensed child care centers in the Child Care Works (CCW) Program. Since taking office, the Governor has expanded tax credits for families and businesses to reduce child care costs, and this year’s budget builds on those efforts by ensuring child care is not only affordable but also available to families across the Commonwealth. The Governor’s budget proposal also includes $15 million for Pre-K Counts to raise wages and stabilize the early educator workforce and $10 million for Early Intervention provider rate increases.

With these investments, Governor Shapiro continues to deliver for Pennsylvania parens and families, working across the aisle to ensure every child has access to quality early education and every parent has the support they need to remain in the workforce.

Read what community leaders, child care workers, parents, and legislators are saying about Governor Shapiro’s budget proposal:

Suzanne Brubacher, Director of CrossPoint Early Learning Center: "Thank you, Governor Shapiro, for recognizing that our workforce are professionals. The first three years — the first 1,000 days — of a child’s life are crucial for brain development. The positive relationships with caregivers during this period are absolutely essential for healthy development. We are celebrating this investment in the early childcare workforce as it will enable us to recruit and retain high quality educators and caregivers. Early childhood education professionals are the workforce behind the workforce. Thank you, Governor, for ensuring those who impact our children’s futures will also not be underestimated." 

Tracey Spear, Director of YMCA Child Development Center at Duquesne University: "I’ve been running a classroom and serving as director since 2022. Last year, when my preschool teacher left, I had to take on her responsibilities as well. Right now, I’m the director and also the lead teacher for the older toddler classroom — so I’m managing two classrooms out of four while also trying to fulfill my director duties. Thankfully, my staff has really stepped up this semester. They not only support me with lesson planning but also step into the classrooms whenever they can, and that teamwork makes all the difference."

Amy Kienle, President/CEO of YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh: “The YMCA is the largest provider of child care in Allegheny County, in Pennsylvania, and across the country. We have a real stake in the child care discussion, and the Shapiro-Davis budget includes exciting, historic provisions — raising the minimum wage, investing in recruitment and retention of child care workers, and increasing funding for Pre-K Counts.”

Robert Cherry, CEO of Partner4Work: "We're having a lot of conversations with employers right now because we understand that supporting child care requires a three-legged stool: the consumer, the employer, and, to some degree, government and other entities helping to fund these efforts. The investments included in the Governor’s budget proposal are essential to strengthening and growing our child care sector.”  

Jennifer Shirk-Weiss, a teacher at CrossPoint Early Learning Center: "We early childhood educators love our jobs. We’re dedicated to our children and families, and we want to remain in our chosen field. But we also need a competitive wage that allows us to properly provide for ourselves and our loved ones. This $55 million budget allocation is a meaningful and deeply appreciated step in saying that 'I am seen, heard, and valued as an education professional.’”

Hana Naghamouchi, a teacher and student at Duquesne University: "You can really tell the difference when there’s consistency in the classroom and when you’re able to build strong connections. Since we’ve had more staff, I’ve been able to stay in the same classroom for about two months now, and the changes I’ve seen are incredible — not just in myself and the relationships I’ve built, but in the entire classroom community. When you have that stability, especially for older kids preparing for their next steps, it makes a huge impact."

Megan Gherrity, a parent whose children attend CrossPoint Early Learning Center: "As a parent, it was important for me to find a place where my children would be accepted, protected, and educated everyday — especially my son who has Autism. The inclusive and welcoming environment of this center filled with positive interactions drew me in and held my heart. And it’s all thanks to the incredible team here at CrossPoint, who deserve the support that Governor Shapiro is calling for in this year’s budget. I knew a center that saw my son for all he had to offer and the great things he could do but also challenged him to ‘do hard things’ by teaching, modeling, and practicing them with him was what he needed. A place where my daughter would be celebrated for her often creative fashion sense and wonderful imagination was a place she would flourish."

Stephanie Curtice, a parent whose children attend YMCA Child Development Center at Duquesne University: "It’s so wonderful to hear my four-and-a-half-year-old come home and excitedly share all the amazing, fun, and engaging things she’s done with Miss Tracy and the student teachers. It fills my heart with joy, especially for the moments I can’t be there because I’m at work, striving to be a role model for her. Knowing that she’s not only safe and learning but also truly loved and having incredible experiences means the world to me. As a parent, I want every family to have that same sense of security, and I’m so grateful for the partnership between the YMCA and Duquesne University that makes this possible."

Senator Patty Kim: “I understand the challenges families face when it comes to childcare — quality, availability, and affordability all matter. Childcare is essential, and it reminded me of my own experience with my son attending summer camp here at CrossPoint, where the teachers and staff have been dedicated for decades. For many, this work is a calling, and we must ensure our daycare providers are paid what they’re worth. I wish we could invest more than $55 million — but please know that you are incredibly valued, and we will continue to support you and the important work you do." 

Representative Justin Fleming: "Childcare is essential for families who need to work to make a living. Not only do parents benefit from high-quality childcare, but children do as well. I applaud Governor Shapiro for proposing $55 million to enhance the salaries of childcare workers to grow the workforce and ensure a brighter future for children in the Commonwealth."

See some of what Pennsylvanians are reading about Governor Shapiro’s budget proposal:  

My ChesCo: Struggling to Find Childcare? Governor Shapiro’s Bold Plan Could Transform the Lives of Pennsylvania Families

PennLive: Shapiro uses visit to central Pa. preschool to plug childcare workforce plan: ‘critically important’

Spotlight PA: Child care workers could get a raise under Shapiro plan to address shortage

Times Leader: Solving the childcare shortage: Proposal to expand PA’s childcare workforce

Indiana Gazette: Shapiro at Harrisburg area child care center

Skook News: Governor Shapiro’s Budget Proposal Tackles Child Care Crisis in Schuylkill County

WHYY: Gov. Shapiro seeks to further increase education spending on underfunded schools

The Daily Item: Shapiro highlights proposal to expand child care workforce

WESA: Gov. Shapiro touts proposed raise for child care workers in Pennsylvania budget

FOX43: Childcare providers applaud Shapiro's proposed educator investment

WTAE: Gov. Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Davis hold roundtable on proposed childcare teacher bonuses

Hoodline: Governor Shapiro and Lt. Governor Davis Advocate for $55M Child Care Workforce Investment at Pittsburgh Roundtable

Watch Governor Shapiro’s full budget address to a?joint?session of the House and Senate here.?See the Governor’s full remarks as prepared for delivery here. 

Read more about Governor Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposal. Explore the Governor's 2025-26 Budget in Brief here, or visit shapirobudget.pa.gov to learn more.