Daycare is expensive because daycare is expensive.

So is K-12 education, yet, this country managed to provide that, for decades, free, to the end user. I had to provide my own supplies, but did not need to buy books until Jr High and High School. That changed around 1969 or 70. Someone filed suit in Michigan, contending "free public education" should be "free". So, my last year of high school, books were provided, as they were when I was in elementary school, and we were issued notebook paper, pens and pencils.

I see now that, not only are the students again required to pay for books and supplies, but, at least some school districts charge a fee for each class taken. As we now have an openly, proudly, public education hostile regime, I expect those costs to the end user to escalate, as government funding is redirected to more "JC" tax cuts.

So, yes, free daycare as part of a return to free education could be an issue against the "ration everything by ability to pay" party.

Steve