Pottsville, PA - The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce is pleased that, for the first time in Pennsylvania’s history, the Commonwealth has established a new, dedicated budget line item to support child care teacher recruitment and retention. With a $25 million investment included in the 2025–2026 state budget, Pennsylvania now joins 18 other states that are taking meaningful action to strengthen the early childhood education workforce.

This unprecedented investment represents a major step forward for working families, employers, and communities across the state. For years, Pennsylvania has faced a deepening workforce crisis in early childhood education one that has impacted access to child care, hindered workforce participation, and created significant challenges for local businesses.

“Child care is a foundational part of a healthy economy,” said President & CEO Robert S. Carl, Jr., Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce. “Our members consistently share how child care shortages affect their hiring, retention, and operations. This new commitment from the Commonwealth is a direct investment in Pennsylvania’s workforce and economic future.”

The newly established Child Care Teacher Recruitment and Retention line item is a landmark achievement and the first new early childhood education budget line created since 2007. It delivers critical, ongoing support to tens of thousands of early educators, helping to stabilize a sector essential to parents’ ability to work and businesses’ ability to grow.

The Chamber also recognizes the strength of statewide collaboration with 72 chambers of commerce and economic development organizations that helped make this possible. Despite a challenging fiscal climate and uncertainty at the federal level, this effort demonstrates the effectiveness of unified advocacy.
In addition to the $25 million for child care workforce support, the 2025–2026 Pennsylvania budget includes:

• $9.5 million in additional funding for Pre-K Counts
• Level funding for the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program
• $13.2 million increase for Early Intervention Part C (infants and toddlers)
• $28.5 million increase for Early Intervention Part B (ages 3-5)

The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce extends its appreciation to Governor Shapiro, his administration and State Legislature for supporting this year’s state budget. The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce looks forward to continued dialogue to advance long-term solutions to the child care access and affordability crisis.

“While this is a major step, our work is far from finished,” added Carl. “We will continue to advocate for strong, sustainable investments that supports children, help families, strengthen our workforce, businesses and nonprofits, and secure Pennsylvania’s economic future.”