A key role for BBF is monitoring the implementation of Act 76, Vermont’s landmark child care and early childhood education law, by collecting and analyzing data, elevating family and provider voices, and reporting on progress and challenges to policymakers.
Two years after the passage of Act 76, the legislation’s impacts are already being felt across the state. This landmark legislation increasing public investment in early education has led to more than 100 new child care programs opening, creating over 1,700 spaces for children and 400 new early childhood educator jobs. The number of families receiving tuition assistance has grown by over 63%, resulting in more than 4,700 additional children benefiting from reduced child care costs.
Alongside these remarkable advancements, Act 76 implementation has also surfaced some challenges and some additional work to be done. The state still needs more infant child care slots, and given current funding levels, providers struggle to maintain infant programs. While CCFAP eligibility has expanded, the requirement to document an “eligible service need” continues to create barriers. Families who are self-employed or navigating complex work and life situations often face challenges proving this need, limiting their access to child care assistance. Providers continue to report that some eligible families are not utilizing the program, some due to language barriers and others due to challenges with the application process. Expansion of programs has not yet touched every region of the state with child care deserts particularly in rural areas.
Act 76 in the 2025 Legislative Session
The Prekindergarten Education Implementation Committee had several recommendations for the Legislature in December 2024, including continuing to invest in a mixed delivery system with access to pre-K for 3- and 4-year-olds. The details of implementation will be addressed within the scope of the broader education transformation process enacted by H.454. Budget negotiations during the session highlighted the need to continue to advocate to protect the increased funding levels and mechanisms Act 76 enacted, specifically payroll tax revenue. The Legislature adopted language in the budget to maintain funding levels for child care in future years and established a reserve fund in the event that payroll tax revenue continues to exceed current year CCFAP case load expenditures. The legislature also increased infant and toddler care reimbursement rates by 5%.
Other legislative decisions not directly related to Act 76 but impacting early childhood education included continued investment in the Early Childhood Youth Apprenticeship program and the Child and Adult Food Program. The Early Childhood Youth Apprenticeship Program establishes a pipeline for professional development from high school. The Child and Adult Food Program subsidizes meals in participating child care programs.
Elements of the original Act 76 legislation still pending implementation include reports from DCF and AOE on the reorganization of DCF to increase responsiveness and elevate the status of early childhood services within AHS by November 1, 2025. Limits to child care programs’ ability to increase their tuition rates were scheduled to go into effect July 1, 2025.
