Child Care Voter is building political power for child care.

We mobilize parents, providers, and advocates to elect champions, hold lawmakers accountable, and fight for expanded access to affordable, high-quality early learning.

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ELECTION 2026

Important races for governor, state legislature, Congress, and more are on the ballot Tuesday, November 3rd.

The winners of these races will make decisions affecting Pennsylvania’s children and families for years to come — which is why it’s critical we elect champions who will put children and families first.

Visit the 2026 Election Center for everything you need to make an informed decision at the polls including:

• 2026 Child Care Voter Ballot Guide
• Register to vote
• Request to vote by mail
• Find your polling place
• Important deadlines

2026 ELECTION CENTER

Of all the issues facing Pennsylvania families, let’s make early care and education #1

How do you know you’re a Child Care Voter?

You depend on child care to support your family.

You care about access to high quality pre-k.

You want to invest and expand access to infant and toddler care.

You believe that when we support working families and invest in quality child care, all of Pennsylvania benefits.

You get it. Child care can change outcomes for a family.

Together, we’re fighting for a future where child care is treated as essential infrastructure — with leaders at every level of governance championing policies that support families, providers, and communities.

We can’t do this without you. Make a grassroots contribution now to support our efforts to stand up for children, families, and providers.

”CHIP

Question 5

Yes

Dylan Altemara

"Yes, I support increasing Pennsylvania's child care reimbursement rates to reflect the full, actual cost of providing high-quality care. The current system often fails to cover the true cost of delivering safe, developmentally appropriate care, leaving providers struggling to keep their doors open, educators underpaid, and families facing long waiting lists or limited options.

Pennsylvania should move toward a reimbursement model based on the **true cost of quality care, accounting for educator wages and benefits, appropriate staff-to-child ratios, facility and safety requirements, curriculum and learning materials, and the additional supports needed to serve children with diverse needs.

To make this possible, I would support:

Phasing in increased Child Care Works reimbursement rates based on a transparent cost-of-care methodology rather than outdated market-rate surveys.

Providing targeted funding for infant and toddler care, where staffing requirements are highest, and providers often operate at a loss despite charging families more.

Increasing compensation for early childhood educators to improve recruitment and retention and reduce turnover that disrupts children's development.

Supporting grants for facility improvements and workforce development, particularly for providers in rural communities and underserved areas.

Simplifying administrative requirements and payment systems** so providers can spend more time serving children and less time navigating bureaucracy.

Pennsylvania has practical ways to help fund these investments, including:

Reinvesting savings from cyber charter funding reforms and other education finance efficiencies.

Reviewing and eliminating ineffective tax expenditures and corporate tax loopholes that do not produce measurable economic benefits.

Modernizing tax enforcement to improve the collection of taxes already owed under existing law.
Maximizing available federal child care and early learning funding and ensuring Pennsylvania fully leverages matching opportunities.

Identifying administrative efficiencies and procurement savings that can be redirected to frontline services.

As someone with a background in education, I believe child care is not simply a social service; it's essential infrastructure for Pennsylvania's economy. Investing in reimbursement rates that reflect the real cost of quality care means supporting working families, strengthening our workforce, and giving every child the opportunity to thrive."