July 2026

Child Care and Preschool

Child Care Budget

(Dollars in Millions)


   2024-25 Reviseda 2025-26 Revisedb 2026-27 Proposedc Change from 2025-26
Amount Percent
Expenditures          
CalWORKs Child Care          
Stage 1 $614 $648 $668 $21 3%
Stage 2d 549 602 613 11 2
Stage 3 537 567 586 19 3
Subtotals ($1,700) ($1,817) ($1,868) ($51) (3%)
Non-CalWORKs Child Care          
Alternative Payment Program $1,990 $2,058 $2,216 158 8%
General Child Caree 1,495 1,510 1,573 64 4
Bridge program for foster children 107 62 62 — —
Migrant Child Care 79 79 79 — —
Care for Children With Severe Disabilities 2 2 2 — —
Subtotals ($3,672) ($3,711) ($3,932) ($221) (6%)
Support Programs $2,161f $1,964g $1,865h -$99 -5%
Totals $7,533 $7,492 $7,665 $173 2%
Funding          
Proposition 98 General Fund i $2 $1 $1 -$0.05 -4%
Non-Proposition 98 General Fund 4,450 5,080 5,232 152 3
Proposition 64 Special Fund 639 199 188 -11 -5
Federal 2,442 2,212 2,244 32 1
           
a Reflects 2025-26 May Revision estimates with LAO adjustments.
b Reflects 2026-27 Budget Act with LAO adjustments.
c Reflects 2026-27 Budget Act with LAO adjustments.
d Does not include $16.3 million provided to community colleges for certain child care services.
e Includes funding for family child care home education networks.
f Includes cost estimates for quality programs, child care infrastructure, Child and Adult Care Food Program, CCPU Training Fund, CCPU Retirement Benefit Trust, CCPU Health Benefit Fund, accounts payable, whole child community equity, court cases and costs associated with 2023-24 MOU and parity agreement.
g Includes cost estimates for quality programs, child care infrastructure, Child and Adult Care Food Program, accounts payable, prospective pay, reimbursement based on certified need, rate reform support, administrative support, and whole child community equity. The budget authorizes the Department of Finance to increase spending by up to $195 million on CCPU funds for retirement, health, and training.
h Includes cost estimates for quality programs, child care infrastructure, Child and Adult Care Food Program, accounts payable, prospective pay, administrative support, low income investment fund, whole child community equity, and the child care COLA. The budget authorizes the Department of Finance to increase spending by up to $195 million on CCPU funds for retirement, health, and training.
i Reflects Proposition 98 funds for Child and Adult Care Food Program.
CCPU = Child Care Providers United.