OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — A new statewide program that’s aimed at addressing Oklahoma’s childcare crisis is already making a big difference.

It’s called Oklahoma Strong Start, and it offers free childcare to those who work at a licensed childcare facility.

“I literally cried when I heard I was going to be having free childcare because that was going to be a big cut in my paycheck,” said Kathryn Cruz, childcare worker, D. D. Kirkland Early Childhood Center.

For decades, Cruz taught little ones, but then she had a child of her own and found out just how expensive childcare is.

“It would cost a family upwards of $7,000 to put one child in childcare for a year,” said Ashley Hoggatt, principal and childcare director, D. D. Kirkland Elementary School.

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Hoggatt says Cruz applied at the right time because it was just as this program was launched.

“As an administrator and a childcare leader in our community, it makes it so much more enticing for me to recruit and retain young mothers to serve and teach and lead in our community,” said Hoggatt.

The program is not only helping families, but it also addresses the shortage of childcare workers.

“55 percent of the state of Oklahoma live in what’s called a childcare desert, and that means there aren’t enough licensed childcare spaces available to meet the needs of working families in those areas,” said Carrie Williams, executive director, Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness.

Right now, the program is in a pilot phase and is funded through a federal preschool development grant through December.

After that, state leaders have agreed to continue support through 2028. It was also authorized by House Bill 2778.

“If we’re going to have a workforce behind the workforce, we’re going to have childcare available for working families,” said Williams.