# Summary: Child Care for Working Families Act (H.R. 2976)
This bill creates a major federal child care assistance program with three main components spanning fiscal years 2024-2029.
**Title I establishes a universal child care entitlement program** for children under age 6 whose parents are working or engaged in eligible activities like education, job training, or medical treatment. Starting October 2024, every eligible child in participating states can access subsidized child care from licensed providers. Families pay copayments on a sliding scale based on income, with families earning up to 85 percent of state median income paying nothing. States must set provider payment rates based on cost studies to cover operating expenses and ensure staff wages match elementary teachers with similar qualifications. The program appropriates unlimited funding for direct services through 2029, plus $20 billion for grants to localities and Head Start agencies in non-participating states, and $1.3 billion for federal administration.
**Title II creates the Building an Affordable System for Early Education (BASE) program**, providing $9 billion annually (2024-2029) directly to child care providers through state grants. At least 70 percent must go to staff wages and benefits, while remaining funds support professional development, facility costs, and quality improvements. Priority goes to providers serving infants, toddlers, children with disabilities, and underserved communities.
**Title III establishes universal preschool** for ages 3-4, providing free, high-quality programs in mixed-delivery settings (schools, Head Start, licensed providers). The federal government covers 90 percent of costs in 2024-2025, declining to 60 percent by 2029. States must ensure teacher salaries match elementary educators and meet rigorous quality standards. Title III appropriates unlimited funding for states, plus $2.5 billion for tribes, $1.25 billion for territories, and $20 billion for local grants and Head Start expansion.
**Title IV** extends Head Start services to full days and full school years, appropriating $4-5 billion through 2026, and dedicates $2.7 billion annually to boost Head Start teacher and staff wages.