Economy & Business
Child care is an integral pillar to supporting a thriving economy, with 27 million Americans relying on it to work. The national shortage of affordable child care programs is doing significant harm to family finances, businesses’ bottom lines, and the U.S. economy broadly.
Here are five things to know about child care and our economy.
- The United States economy loses an estimated $122 billion a year due to child care challenges.
- On average, businesses lose $1,640 a year for each working parent due to lost revenue and hiring costs because of insufficient child care, totaling $23 billion annually.
- 77% of small business leaders say access to high-quality, affordable child care is essential or important to strengthening the economy and helping workers.
- Investments in high-quality child care and early learning programs can generate up to $7.30 per every dollar invested.
- The availability of early childhood education programs attracts homebuyers and increases property values by $13 for every dollar invested in programs.
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Posts
BREAKING: Congress Includes Crucial Relief for Child Care Industry in COVID-19 Stimulus Package
Nearly a third of all child care providers say they would not survive a closure of more than two weeks UPDATE: On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and …
Here’s What’s Included for Child Care in the Congressional COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Package
This story is developing and will be updated with more details and information as we continue analyzing the many provisions of the bill that impact the child care industry. Today, …
Details on Child Care Relief in the COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Package
Recognizing the essential role of child care — its proven benefits to a child’s learning and healthy development and its support of America’s labor market and economy by allowing parents …
Congress Receives 65,000 Emails from FFYF Supporters Urging Relief for Child Care Industry
Right now, Congress is still negotiating the details of a massive economic stimulus package in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Last week, FFYF and our partners provided detailed recommendations to …
Child Care Sector Needs Immediate Relief to Keep Doors Open Through COVID-19 Crisis – and Through Recovery
If the child care industry collapses, working parents won’t be able to return to work WASHINGTON – Last night, the First Five Years Fund (FFYF) was joined by many of …
COVID-19 and Child Care
In response to questions about COVID-19 and its impacts for young children, their families, and child care providers, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released two resources today. ACF …
Solutions to Support the Child Care Market Through the COVID-19 Pandemic
Today, the Bipartisan Policy Center shared recommendations for immediate congressional action to ensure, in the midst of ongoing uncertainty about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, that the child care …
Bank Street Education Center Hosts National Strategy Discussion on Early Childhood Educators
On Monday, the Bank Street Education Center (Bank Street) hosted an event to discuss their new research and new national vision to invest in the early learning workforce. The event …
CNN Debate: 2020 Candidates Agree on Child Care
Last night during the final Democratic presidential debate before the Iowa Caucuses next month, child care became one of the rare unifying issues among the 2020 contenders. Debate moderator Brianne …
Small Business Loans and Child Care Providers
Whether it’s in a home, church, school, stand-alone center, or part of a larger office building, families rely on licensed child care providers in any number of settings to care …
HHS Undertakes Nationwide Child Care Listening Tour
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) just wrapped up a nationwide, 10-city listening tour, which featured roundtable discussions with parents, employers, child care providers, states and localities, tribal …
Strengthening the Early Childhood Workforce through Registered Apprenticeships
High-quality early childhood education (ECE) for kids from birth through age five – particularly those from low-income families – is proven to help children develop the social, emotional and academic …
