July 2025

Child Care and Preschool

Child Care Budget

(Dollars in Millions)

     2023-24 Reviseda 2024-25 Revisedb 2025-26 Enactedc Change from 2024-25
Amount Percent
Expenditures          
CalWORKs Child Care          
Stage 1 $550 $614 $662 $8 1%
Stage 2d 420 549 657 109 20  
Stage 3 559 537 515 -22 -4  
Subtotals ($1,530) ($1,700) ($1,794) ($95) (6%)
Non-CalWORKs Child Care          
Alternative Payment Program $2,028 $1,990 $2,003 13 1%
General Child Caree 1,255 1,495 1,585 90 6   
Bridge program for foster children 94 107 64 -43 -40   
Migrant Child Care 70 79 79 — —  
Care for Children With Severe Disabilities 2 2 2 — —  
Subtotals ($3,449) ($3,672) ($3,732) ($60) (2%)
Support Programsh $1,594f $2,161g $1,921h -$240 -11%
Totals $6,573 $7,533 $7,448 -$85 -1%
Funding          
Proposition 98 General Fundi $3 $2 $1 -$1 -37%
Non-Proposition 98 General Fund 3,188 4,450 4,924 473 11  
Proposition 64 Special Fund 270 639 195 -444 -69  
Federal 3,111 2,442 2,328 -114 -5  
           
a Reflects 2023-24 May Revision estimates with LAO adjustments.
b Reflects 2025-26 May Revision estimates with LAO adjustments.
c Reflects 2025-26 Budget Act with LAO adjustments.
d Does not include $4.4 million provided to community colleges for certain child care services.     
e Includes family child care home education networks.     
f Includes cost estimates for quality programs, child care infrastructure, Child and Adult Care Food Program, 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, CCPU Training Fund, CCPU Retirement Benefit Trust, CCPU Health Benefit Fund, accounts payable, whole child community equity, and costs associated with 2023-24 MOU and parity agreement.    
h 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.
i Reflects Proposition 98 funds for Child and Adult Care Food Program.
CCPU = Child Care Providers United and MOU = memorandum of understanding.