Representative Mark White Proposes Plan to Improve Childcare

Mark White discussing childcare at a recent Tennesseans for Quality Early Education (Photo by Tennessee Firefly Staff)

House Education Committee Chair Mark White, R-Memphis, says one of his key priorities next year will be improving parents’ access to childcare.

Representative Mark White (Photo by the Tennessee General Assembly)

In an interview with the Tennessee Firefly, White said that too many parents across the state lack access to childcare, either because of a scarcity of available slots or cost.

“We have a critical shortage across the state of childcare agencies, where if a second parent wants to go back to work, childcare is not available in a lot of places, and where it is, it’s even expensive,” said White.

Childcare Versus Rent

A report released last week from Lending Tree further illustrates White’s point. According to the report, the average monthly childcare cost in Nashville for two children is $2,103, nearly $400 more than the average two-bedroom rent. In Memphis, childcare for two children costs $700 more than the average two-bedroom rent.

White plans to propose legislation next year to help reduce staffing shortages that are contributing to higher childcare costs by creating a pathway for literacy instructors to work in childcare.

In Tennessee, the Department of Education oversees early literacy programs, and the Department of Human Services oversees childcare programs. White believes both can serve children better if resources are combined.

“How do we combine some of the funding, and then how do we do something…to create a pathway where we get literacy instructors in the childcare programs and kill two birds with one stone,” said White. “Not only providing the childcare, but we’re getting the child ready for Pre-K and kindergarten, where they’re well on their way.”

The Tennessee General Assembly reconvenes on January 13, 2026.