After Hours Child Care Act

Improved Access for Working Parents: The bill seeks to improve child care access for parents working hours outside of the traditional 9 to 5 window, including evenings, nights, or weekends (Section 2(a)(1)).

Workforce Stability and Growth: By addressing the needs of parents with young children, the act aims to help parents stay attached to the workforce, which can lead to promotions, salary increases, and the ability to amass savings (Section 2(a)(2)).

Expansion of Child Care Options: Grants can be used to expand the capacity of existing programs, including family child care providers, or establish new ones specifically to serve families with nontraditional work schedules (Section 2(c)(1)(A) and (F)).

Workplace Support: The bill allows for the establishment or expansion of onsite child care programs at a workplace to serve families (Section 2(c)(1)(D) and (E)).

Enhanced Program Quality and Safety: Funds may be used to improve facilities, equipment, and curriculum, as well as to assist providers in meeting health and safety requirements or providing training in safe sleep practices (Section 2(f)(1)-(6)).

Financial Requirement for Grant Recipients: Entities receiving a grant are required to provide a non-Federal share of the cost amounting to 25 percent (Section 2(g)).

Limited Funding Duration: Grants are awarded for a period of 5 years and are not eligible for renewal (Section 2(c)(2)).