Washington, DC (March 13, 2026)—In response to the Friday afternoon announcement from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) that they will implement a child care subsidy waitlist beginning Tuesday, May 12, 2026, the Executive Committee of Under 3 DC issues the following statement:
“At a time when all but the wealthiest of families in wards across the District of Columbia are tightening their budgets to withstand our current economic uncertainty, shutting the door to the child care assistance, midyear, to low-and middle-income families not already enrolled essentially removes a critical building block of early childhood education from the children who need it the most. And, from their parents who rely on child care to work. This move does nothing to solve the current budget crisis and will only lead to classroom closures and teacher layoffs. Parents will have to piece together care or leave their jobs, further undercutting what is already a fragile DC economy.
Rather than implementing a waitlist, it makes sense for the Bowser Administration to fill the current budget gap. They could also do better by trying to keep pace with community demand for child care subsidies and by ensuring the FY27 budget receives the funding it needs without moving to zero out the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund. Both programs strengthen our child care system for the children and families who rely on it. We must do our very best to protect its delivery and equity for District families.”