Disproportionality in Subsidy Enrollment
From 2016 to 2025, subsidized child care programs have enrolled 27 - 42 percent of the income-eligible population of children under 5 years of age in Washington State. The patterns of representation are fairly consistent over the years. Black/African American children have been consistently over-represented, although somewhat less so in recent years. In 2016 they participated at 1.85 times their presence in the eligible population, and in 2025 they participated at 1.68 times their presence in the population. In 2025, Hispanic/Latino children participated in subsidized child care at exactly the same rate that they’re present in the eligible population, although in 2016 they participated at only 0.84 times their presence in the population. White children are slightly under-represented. In 2016, they participated at 0.85 times their presence in the population and in 2025 they participated in subsidized childcare at 0.88 times their representation in the population. American Indian/Alaska Native and Asian/Pacific Islander children are more under-represented in subsidized child care participation. In 2016, American Indian/Alaska Native children participated at 0.71 times their representation in the population, while Asian/Pacific Islander children participated at 0.72 times their representation in the population. In 2025, American Indian/Alaska Native children participated at 0.73 times their representation in the population, while Asian/Pacific Islander children participated at only 0.67 times their representation in the population.
Racial/Ethnic Disproportionality Ratios for Child Care Subsidy Uptake, School Years 2016-2025
Racial/Ethnic Disproportionality Ratios for Child Care Subsidy Uptake, School Years 2016-2025
