New Poll: Mississippi Voters Say Early Care and Education Prepares Kids for School and Parents for Work

76.9% Say Expanding Childcare Access Would Strengthen Mississippi’s Economy and Workforce 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2026

Media Contact:
Paige Daugherty
Director of Communications, Mississippi First
paige@mississippifirst.org
662-580-8046

JACKSON, Miss — Less than a week before the midterm elections, Mississippi First is releasing new statewide polling from McLaughlin & Associates, conducted on behalf of First Five Years Fund and Mississippi First.

The survey finds that Mississippi voters overwhelmingly support early care and education, and they see it as essential to the workforce and to families’ ability to provide for themselves. Voters agree that finding and affording quality childcare is a serious problem and support lawmakers taking action to make childcare more affordable and accessible. The findings also underscore the connection between affordable childcare, families’ financial stability, and Mississippi’s workforce and economy.

Mississippi Voters Overwhelmingly Support Early Care and Education

Mississippi voters believe in the importance of early care and education. Voters see early care and education as supporting a strong start to children’s later education. 

• 83.3% of Mississippi voters agree that childcare helps children prepare for their later education. 
• 82.9% of Mississippi voters agree that pre-K is important for preparing children for K-12 education. 

“In the 2023 Public Perception of Early Childhood Education in Mississippi, Mississippi First asked the same questions in a general survey of the public in Mississippi. It’s encouraging to see that the results from this new poll are similar. This means that Mississippians continue to value early education as a foundation for their children’s success,” said Micayla Tatum, Director of Early Childhood Policy at Mississippi First. 

Childcare is Closely Connected to Mississippi’s Workforce and Economy 

Mississippi voters’ support of early care and education is driven by their knowledge that childcare is connected to the economy. Voters recognize the broader economic benefits of expanding access to quality childcare, including its role in helping parents enter and remain in the workforce.

• 76.9% of voters agree that increasing access to high-quality childcare would strengthen Mississippi’s economy and workforce.
• 56.4% of voters agree that labor shortages throughout the state are due in part to the lack of quality, affordable childcare.
• More than four in ten (44.5%) say they or someone they know would consider entering the workforce if quality childcare were available, while 49.5% say childcare challenges of their own or their coworkers have affected their workplace a lot or some.
• 84.7% of voters say access to quality, affordable childcare is important or essential to Mississippi’s economy and workers’ ability to provide for their families.

These findings underscore the connection between childcare access and Mississippi’s economic future, from helping parents participate in the workforce to supporting employers’ ability to attract and retain workers.

Affordability is Top of Mind for Mississippi Voters

Mississippi voters are concerned about the cost of living, with the price of gas, energy, utilities, and groceries topping the list of household expenses they are most worried about. The findings underscore the financial pressures facing families across the state, particularly parents managing the high cost of childcare.

• 73.1% of voters identify the price of gas, energy, and utilities as one of the two costs they are most concerned about, followed closely by food and groceries (71.6%).
• Nearly half of parents (48.4%) say childcare costs are preventing them from saving money or getting ahead financially.
• 36.0% of parents are cutting back on other household essentials to afford childcare.
• One-third of parents (33.4%) say they are struggling to pay for childcare.

For parents already managing high household expenses, childcare costs are making it harder to cover basic needs, build savings, and plan for the future.

Mississippi Voters See Childcare as Part of the Affordability Crisis

Mississippi voters overwhelmingly recognize childcare as part of the broader affordability crisis and agree that finding and affording quality care is a serious challenge for working families.

• More than three-quarters of voters (76.4%) say childcare costs are part of the country’s affordability crisis, including 39.7% who say they are a big part of the crisis.
• 71.1% of voters believe the ability of working parents to find and afford quality childcare is either “in a state of crisis” or a “major problem.”
• More than half of voters (54.3%) are concerned that young families may leave Mississippi or choose not to have children because they cannot find affordable childcare.

Together, these findings show that the availability and affordability of childcare affect more than household budgets. They also shape families’ decisions about their futures and Mississippi’s ability to attract and retain young families.

“Mississippi families are feeling the strain of high child care costs. Voters recognize that child care is part of the broader affordability crisis, and for too many families, these costs are making it harder to save, get ahead, and plan for the future. This is the reality for families across Mississippi, and it’s time for lawmakers to act,” said Sarah Rittling, Executive Director of First Five Years Fund.

Childcare Matters to Mississippi Voters at the Ballot Box 

Mississippi voters also recognize the importance of lawmakers’ decisions about childcare funding and access.

• More than half of voters (51.6%) say they would be less likely to vote for a candidate for the Mississippi state legislature if they learned that the candidate failed to fill a funding gap that would cause thousands of children to lose access to childcare assistance.
• More than four in ten (41.9%) say they would be much less likely to support that candidate.

Mississippi Voters Support State and Federal Investment in Childcare 

Mississippi voters support a role for both state and federal policymakers in helping working families access and afford quality childcare and early learning opportunities.

At the state level:

• 62.9% of voters believe ensuring more working families have access to affordable, quality childcare should be an important priority for Mississippi in the next year.
• Nearly two-thirds of voters (65.4%) believe state investment in early childhood education programs is an effective way to strengthen Mississippi’s long-term economic growth.
• More than half of voters (50.7%) say Mississippi spends too little on childcare.
• 60.2% of voters believe the state should pay childcare providers enough to cover the actual cost of providing care, rather than maintaining current reimbursement levels.

At the federal level:

• 72.2% of voters believe federal funding for childcare and early learning programs for low-income working families is a good investment of taxpayer dollars.
• Nearly three-quarters of voters (73.9%) believe federal funding for quality childcare programs for working parents should be increased or kept at current levels.
• 62.3% of voters support the Child Care Modernization Act. The bipartisan legislation would strengthen the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), the federal program that helps low-income working families afford childcare. 
• 77.2% of voters support Head Start.

These findings demonstrate broad support for investments and policy solutions that help families access affordable childcare and early learning programs.

BOTTOM LINE

The results point to a clear message from Mississippi voters: early care and education is a valued part of the education system that helps families work. When families struggle to access affordable childcare, it impacts their household budgets and workplace stability throughout the state. Voters recognize the connection between childcare, household affordability, and the state’s economic future, and support state and federal efforts to expand access to quality, affordable care for working families.

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About the Survey

The results are from a statewide survey of 600 registered voters in Mississippi that was conducted October 14-18, 2026, and has a margin of error ±4 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

About Mississippi First

Mississippi First is a nonpartisan, nonprofit education policy organization driven by our mission to champion transformative policy solutions that ensure educational excellence for every Mississippi child. Through research, partnerships, and advocacy, we identify education challenges, develop strong solutions, and work alongside policymakers and practitioners to put those solutions into action. Learn more at mississippifirst.org.  

About First Five Years Fund  

The first five years last forever. At First Five Years Fund, we work to protect, prioritize, and build bipartisan support for early learning and child care programs at the federal level. Reliable, affordable, and high-quality early learning and child care can be transformative, not only enhancing a child’s prospects for a brighter future but also bolstering working parents and fostering economic stability nationwide. Learn more at www.ffyf.org. 

About McLaughlin & Associates  

McLaughlin & Associates is a polling and public opinion research firm with decades of experience conducting surveys for political campaigns, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Led by longtime pollster John McLaughlin, the firm also works with organizations seeking to better understand public opinion on major policy issues. Learn more at https://mclaughlinonline.com/.