The share of federal spending on children has declined precipitously over the last five years, according to a new report, dropping more than 30% since fiscal year 2022 to just 8.43% of all federal spending — a number that will dip even lower as program cuts passed last year take effect.

Trump administration’s proposal would also eliminate classroom ratios and group-size limits, reduce requirements for serving children with disabilities and multilingual learners and cap administrative spending for the program.

It would cost nearly $1.7 billion to expand access to subsidized childcare in Virginia and pay early childhood educators more, according to a new study. The new research comes as the commonwealth recently took steps to fund — and clear — the waitlist for one popular program. But experts and advocates say that the waitlist is only one indicator of demand for subsidized childcare.

A new survey finds 3 in 4 U.S. voters say the cost of childcare is a major problem — and it’s among reasons affordability is a top issue this election year. For parents who pay for childcare, more than a third say it’s one of their top two expenses, according to a poll commissioned by the First Five Years Fund, which advocates for expanding early learning and care.

In most schools, substitute teachers are commonplace. Finding temporary teachers to fill in at childcare centers is a bit more complicated. But a new pilot program helps daycares in the Richmond region hire qualified substitutes through an app.