Governor Mike Parson says lack of adequate daycare access is one of the biggest problems facing everyday Missourians. He says that’s why he made the largest investment in the state’s history to help improve access. His budget proposal for the next state budget year includes more than 800-million-dollars to help address Missouri’s childcare needs.

More than 78-million would go to childcare providers and another 56-million-dollars would help to expand access to pre-K programs in public and charter schools for all low-income children. The Missouri Legislature is working on the next budget.