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The Economic Costs of Gaps in Child Care
February 23, 2023
How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.
-George Washington Carver, 1864-1943, agricultural scientist and inventor
-George Washington Carver, 1864-1943, agricultural scientist and inventor
According to US News and World Report, “The continuing lack of access to high-quality and affordable child care has more than doubled its blow to the U.S. economy over the last five years, now costing $122 billion in lost earnings, productivity and revenue every year.”
Working parents bear the brunt of this. According to a ReadyNation report, “Almost two-thirds of parents of infants and toddlers facing child care struggles reported being late for work or leaving work early... An overwhelming 85 percent of primary caregivers said problems with child care hurt their efforts or time commitment at work… Families lose $78 billion per year in forgone earnings and job search expenses. Meanwhile, productivity problems cause employers to lose $23 billion annually due to child care challenges faced by their workforce. Taxpayers, in turn, lose $21 billion each year in lower federal and state/local tax revenue.”
The report points out, “Beyond its impact on the workforce and economy today, the infant-toddler child care crisis damages the future workforce by depriving children of nurturing, stimulating environments that support healthy brain development while their parents work.”
They conclude, “Federal and state policymakers must support evidence-based policies and programs that enhance the availability and affordability of high-quality child care. With wise investments, policymakers can improve life outcomes for millions of children today and strengthen the workforce and economy both now and in the years to come.”
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Comments (3)
Displaying All 3 CommentsEugene, OR, United States
Yes, Frances, I envision each Exchange Every Day message as a contribution to a richer, more well-rounded conversation, and I can always count on you to add your voice. Thank you for that.
Layne, I would love to hear more about what's happening in Broward County, and I imagine our Exchange readers would as well. I hope you will consider writing an article about it (https://www.exchangepress.com/opportunities-for-you/write-for-exchange/), or sharing something between 150-300 words with me to include in a future Exchange Every Day message. Write me back at [email protected] and put 'for EED' in the subject line. Thanks!
University of Phoenix/ Red Rocks Community College
Denver, Colorado, 80222, Colorado, United States
At least three things are missing from this discussion: 1) providing more flexible work schedules for both parents (and others acting as parents), 2) expecting businesses and other places where people work to help offset costs, and 3) providing more innovative programs that are housed in offices, industrial centers, etc. It seems to me this analysis views the structure of childcare like schools, which is silly. Finally, I think local governments - i.e., towns and counties - could also help offset costs.
West Palm Beach, FL, United States
This is not a new issue. Communities with forethought learned they could not work in solos. Their communities' organizations, including school districts, local governments, funders, colleges and universities, and early childhood support programs work together for all of their youngest citizens. They have learned that it takes a village to raise well-educated children.
Broward County, Florida is an example of the cooperation among local agencies, private providers, local governments, and public schools.
It is time that all community early childhood programs work together to produce the synergy to strengthen the workforce of the future.
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