Oregon
Working families in Oregon 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 Oregon. But too many working families in Oregon are missing out. As a direct result of child care issues, the Oregon economy loses millions of dollars each year in the form of lost earnings, productivity, and revenue.
There are 261K children ages 5 and under in Oregon – 63% of these children have all available parents in the workforce.
The typical annual cost of child care for an infant in Oregon is nearly $18,000.
The Child Care and Development Block Grant only reaches 12% of eligible families in Oregon. (This federal program helps low-income parents afford child care.)
On average, child care providers in Oregon earn just $35,820 a year; this can make it a challenge to recruit and retain this workforce, leading to supply issues.
Oregon’s economy loses $1.4B annually due to child care challenges.
Oregon: In The Headlines
Tillamook child care shortage persists
Tillamook Headlight Herald | oCTOBER 11, 2024
Along with 34 other counties in Oregon, Tillamook is classified as a childcare desert, with spots available for less than one in three kids in licensed programs across the county.
Child care shortages among Lane County’s economic hurdles
KVAL | dECEMBER 10, 2024
Two of the biggest obstacles to growth are the cost of housing and the cost of child care. Local economic experts and child care industry advocates detailed their latest findings to county commissioners.
Oregon ranks among the most expensive for infant child care in U.S.
The Oregonian | March 5, 2025
Paying for care for a baby in Oregon can cost more than supporting a college kid.
Oregon Resources & News
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