Boone County

Boone County has long recognized that a strong early childhood system is essential to a thriving community. In 2026, Heart of Missouri United Way brought together employers, child care providers, educators, local governments, health and human services organizations, families, and other community partners for a six-month planning process focused on creating a stronger future for young children and those who care for them.

Through community conversations, focus groups, data analysis, and research, participants explored the county’s child care landscape, examined the true cost of building a high-quality early childhood system, and identified the opportunities with the greatest potential for lasting impact.

The result is a community-informed Early Childhood Education Action Plan that reflects Boone County’s strengths, addresses its most significant challenges, and provides a clear path forward. The findings that follow capture what the community learned throughout the planning process and establish a shared foundation for action.

As implementation begins, community partners will continue working together to turn these insights into meaningful, sustainable solutions that benefit children, families, employers, and the entire Boone County community.

Follow the community’s progress and explore ongoing implementation efforts below.

Key Findings

The number of children who need care is higher than the number of available slots. More than 1,000 additional infant and toddler slots, and more than 700 additional Pre-K slots, are needed.

On average, families are paying 14% or more of their income to cover the cost of care.

Current, unaffordable annual tuitions are not enough to cover the true cost of high-quality care.

Community Priorities

Stabilize and grow infant & toddler care capacity
Close the affordability gap for working and low-income families
Strengthen the child care workforce as essential infrastructure
Engage employers as partners in expanding child care access
Improve system navigation, with targeted supports for complex needs

The Research

Child Care Is A Workforce Issue

Employer focus groups provided insight into how child care challenges affect local businesses, employees, and the workforce.

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Infant care is especially difficult to secure, particularly for families with non-traditional work schedules. Long waitlists and limited options make returning to work difficult.

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Piecemealing Care Strains Families and Employers. Families often piece together care, creating financial, logistical, and emotional strain. For employers, that instability can mean more absences and scheduling challenges.

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Employers Want Partnership, Not Programs. Employers are ready to help, but want a clear, manageable role—not responsibility for operating child care. Ideas include reserved slots, on-site care, and employee stipends.

“We want to actively have these conversations around what does child care look like, because we want to remove any barriers to having great employees.”

– Employer

Quotes are drawn from a convenience sample of Boone County residents, early childhood education directors/owners, and senior leaders of Boone County-based employers. This sample is not intended to be representative of the broader population.

Families Lack Access to Child Care

The number of infants and toddlers who need care is higher than the number of available slots, with 1,052 kids who do not have a slot. Capacity for kids ages 3-5 is nearly sufficient for the needs of the community, but there a specific need for 729 more Pre-K slots within that age group. This data is based on 70% of the estimated total number of children in the area, aligned with policy research estimates used by the State of Missouri.

“We had to have the conversation of how many can we afford to have in daycare before I should actually quit working because we would be spending more than my monthly salary.”

-Boone County Parent

Infant & Toddler (Birth-2 Years)

76%

Kids Served

4,409 Kids
3,357 Slots

Pre-Kindergarten (4-5 Years)

53%

Kids Served

1,539 Kids
810 Slots

Other Preschool (3-5 Years)

95%

Kids Served

4,631 Kids
4,415 Slots

THE COST OF CHILD CARE IS UNAFFORDABLE FOR FAMILIES

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), child care is considered affordable if it costs families no more than 7% of their income. With median household income of $72,758, local families are paying 14% or more of their income to cover the cost of care for one child.

% income parents pay for Infant & Toddler Care

28%

% income parents pay for Preschool

14%

* 7% affordability threshhold

Median Household Income (MHI)

72,758

Infant & Toddler parent tuition

$20,540

Preschool parent tuition

$10,540

Affordable Cost Level ( 7% MHI )

$5,093

More Resources ARE NEEDED to Provide Affordable High-Quality Care

In addition to being unaffordable to families, the annual cost of tuition does not cover the true cost of high-quality care for providers. Additional funds from other stakeholders are needed to support high-quality care.

Total Cost: $22,513

Infant & Toddler

$5,093

$17,420

Total Cost: $12,924

Preschool

$5,093

$7,831

Investment Gap

Affordable Cost for Parents

“Early childhood education still really, and by and large, not being seen as a profession. And that’s all I want to say.”

– Provider in Boone County

Reach out

To learn more about the exciting early childhood work in Boone County, and to hear more about the leaders, organizations, and advocates involved, contact the Heartland of Missouri United Way.

Talia Jackson, Executive Director, Heartland of Missouri United Way
tjackson@uwheartmo.org

Community planning, research, and facilitation by Child Care Leadership Lab; in addition to supply building initiative co-design and implementation with community partners. Data compiled and presented by IFF in partnership with Kids Win Missouri. Thank you to our partner Heart of Missouri United Way. We also thank William Guitar Little Foundation, Veterans United Foundation, the City of Columbia, Heart of Missouri United Way, Children’s Trust Fund, and Upward Momentum for their generous support.