Lawmakers Bring Childcare Providers, Experts Together for Interim Study 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Appropriations Chairman Chuck Hall, R-Perry, and Rep. Suzanne Schreiber, D-Tulsa, today hosted a joint interim study to bring daycare providers, early childhood education leaders and other stakeholders to the table to discuss improving Oklahoma’s childcare system.

Presenters discussed regulations and reimbursements for childcare providers and emphasized how a strong provider network is critical to a thriving workforce. Oklahoma has 2,747 licensed private pay childcare providers and 1,855 contracted providers that receive subsidies.

Hall said he requested the study after speaking with the owners of childcare facilities in his district. He said he wanted his colleagues in the Legislature to hear directly from people working in the childcare industry to better understand the challenges they face.

“We continue to invest millions in workforce development here in Oklahoma, yet we’re still not addressing the single largest barrier to workforce participation,” Hall said. “We can’t build a strong workforce without affordable and reliable daycares that parents can trust to care for their little ones. This interim study was a chance to listen and learn from those on the front lines of the industry so we can develop practical policy solutions to support working families and providers as we build a stronger and more sustainable childcare system.”

Approximately two-thirds of Oklahoma children under age six have both parents in the workforce, making childcare a necessity for many of those working adults.

Hall added that childcare and affordability aren’t partisan issues and thanked Schreiber for partnering on the study.

“What we heard today is families, our employers, our communities and our economy need a strong affordable and accessible childcare industry,” Schreiber said. “I’m so grateful to Senator Hall for including me in this serious evaluation of the stability of this critical industry. I know myself and my colleagues are on the side of our kids, our families and our small businesses so we need to think innovatively and creatively to come up with ways to support this industry just as we do for any other necessary part of our economy. It’s hard for me to think of something that gets a greater return on investment than making sure our kids are in safe places getting school ready and their parents can go to work and earn a living.”

Officials from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness, the State Chamber of Oklahoma and multiple childcare associations and advocates presented at the study alongside local and national experts.

Presenters made policy and financial recommendations that lawmakers will consider ahead of the 2027 legislative session.