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Pennsylvania Lawmakers, Providers Clash Over Child Care Regulations
Hearing highlights concerns over rising costs, access, and workforce impact in the child care industry
Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:49pm
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Colorful building blocks symbolize the challenges of balancing child care regulations, costs, and accessibility.York TodayA hearing in York County, Pennsylvania brought together state lawmakers, child care providers, and educators to discuss the challenges facing the child care industry, including affordability, rising expenses, and the impact of state regulations. Providers argue that excessive oversight and inspection requirements are making it increasingly difficult to operate profitably, while lawmakers say they are exploring potential changes to strike a better balance between safety and affordability.
Why it matters
The child care industry plays a crucial role in supporting working families and the broader economy, but rising costs and regulatory burdens are threatening the viability of many providers. Finding the right balance between safety standards and affordability is essential to ensuring families have access to quality, affordable child care.
The details
During the House Republican Policy Committee hearing, child care providers like Sara Bradley of York Day Early Learning highlighted affordability as a major challenge, relying heavily on state contracts to cover the gap between tuition and the real cost of care. Lawmakers such as Rep. Dan Moul argued that excessive regulations are a key factor driving up costs and making it harder for providers to stay profitable. Meanwhile, home-based providers like Laura Walker warned that further regulatory changes could lead to more closures, as the industry has already seen a 62% decline in home-based providers over the past 10 years.
- The House Republican Policy Committee hearing took place in York County, Pennsylvania on March 30, 2026.
The players
Sara Bradley
Executive director of York Day Early Learning, a child care provider.
Rep. Dan Moul
Republican state representative from Adams County, Pennsylvania.
Rep. Kate Klunk
Republican state representative from York County, Pennsylvania.
Laura Walker
A home-based child care provider.
Dr. Val Arkoosh
Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
What they’re saying
“For us, affordability is everything. We rely on a lot of our state contracts to be able to fill that gap between what tuition provides and the real cost of care.”
— Sara Bradley, Executive director of York Day Early Learning
“There's so much overregulation and inspection, making it more and more difficult all the time for it to be profitable for somebody to go into the childcare business.”
— Rep. Dan Moul, Republican state representative
“The biggest takeaway that I took from today is that we have a very over regulated childcare industry.”
— Rep. Kate Klunk, Republican state representative
“We have lost over 62% of home-based childcare providers in the last 10 years, and if the new regulations were to go into effect, an unknown number of closures will absolutely result.”
— Laura Walker, Home-based child care provider
“Early learning and child care programs are an invaluable resource… and are a catalyst for a healthy, vibrant economy. The Child Care Recruitment and Retention Program has been an effective tool… to support our dedicated providers and educators… The Governor's proposed 2026-27 budget aims to build off this success… making child care more affordable and available for Pennsylvania families.”
— Dr. Val Arkoosh, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
What’s next
Lawmakers hosting the hearing say they are now exploring potential changes to child care regulations, including adjustments to education requirements and other standards, in an effort to strike a better balance between safety and affordability.
The takeaway
This hearing highlights the delicate balance that policymakers must strike between ensuring high-quality, safe child care and maintaining affordability and accessibility for families. As the child care industry faces rising costs and workforce challenges, finding the right regulatory approach will be crucial to supporting working parents and the broader economy.
