Massachusetts
Working families in Massachusetts need accessible, affordable, quality child care and early learning opportunities for their children.
Currently, federal and state early learning programs reach thousands of young children and their families in Massachusetts. But too many working families in Massachusetts are missing out. As a direct result of child care issues, the Massachusetts economy loses millions of dollars each year in the form of lost earnings, productivity, and revenue.
There are 420k children ages 5 and under in Massachusetts – 72% of these children have all available parents in the workforce.
The typical annual cost of child care for an infant in Massachusetts is around $24,000.
The Child Care and Development Block Grant only reaches 12% of eligible families. This federal program helps low-income parents afford child care.
On average, child care providers in Massachusetts earn just $18 an hour; this can make it a challenge to recruit and retain this workforce, leading to supply issues.
Massachusetts’ economy loses $3.3B annually due to child care challenges.
Massachusetts: In The Headlines
Taming the country’s highest child care costs
Boston Globe | April 16, 2024
Daycare costs parents a small fortune, yet many providers still don’t even make a living wage.
Massachusetts child care has a workforce problem
Axios Boston | nOVEMBER 19, 2024
Child care workers in Massachusetts continue to struggle despite the state’s reforms in recent years, with many working multiple jobs to make ends meet or leaving the industry altogether, per a new report.
Massachusetts is one of the most expensive states for child care, report says
CBS News | January 23, 2024
Massachusetts is one of the most expensive states in the country when it comes to child care.
Massachusetts Resources & News
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