Without the state’s financial help, some parents can’t afford care that includes learning, healthy meals and safe play. Lawmakers last year made a start toward catching up with other states by slightly increasing the income levels allowed for persons to qualify for state child-care assistance. This year they should go even further. At a minimum, they should adopt Gov. Matt Blunt’s plan to increase subsidies and allow parents to accept minimal pay raises and still qualify for state help.

Missouri pays the subsidies to the providers directly. Most parents must pay the difference between the provider’s charge and the subsidy.

Money invested in early education saves the state in future costs for remedial programs, social services and juvenile crime.

By approving $2.4 million in state funds, to be matched by $6.1 million in federal funds, lawmakers would allow working parents at 150 percent of poverty to qualify for assistance.

That amounts to an annual income of $26,500 for a family of three. The current income eligibility is $22,400 for a family of three.

Child-care costs average $7,000 a year and many low-income parents cannot afford to pay that on their own. The governor also has proposed more funding for early education programs and lawmakers should follow through.

The National Institute for Early Education Research recently pointed out that Missouri is serving fewer children in public preschools than it did five years ago. In neighboring states, including Kansas, enrollment is growing.

Missouri lawmakers need to do a better job for the state’s youngest residents.