Young children thrive when they are well cared for by loving and attentive adults. However, the child care crisis has made quality child care harder to find. Over the past five years, there has been a decrease in the availability of child care programs, while costs have risen significantly. In fact, in 2023, the cost of child care was higher than rent in all 50 states. This poses a significant challenge for many families, especially those with lower incomes who struggle to afford quality child care.
As a result of the high costs and limited availability of child care, many parents are forced to make difficult decisions. Some parents drop out of the workforce, while others try to juggle work and childcare responsibilities. This can lead to stressed caregivers who struggle to provide children with the basics such as adequate sleep, nutritious food, playtime, attention, and outdoor time.
When children do not have these needs met, their health and development can suffer. Lack of physical activity can increase the risk of obesity, poor sleep schedules can impact kindergarten readiness, and inadequate caregiver responsiveness can lead to mental health problems later in life. Subpar child care for toddlers can have long-lasting effects on healthcare, education, and even the criminal justice system.
However, investing in high-quality child care can make a significant difference in child health and development. Studies have shown that states with larger child care investments have lower rates of child protective services calls, foster care placements, and deaths due to abuse or neglect. Children who attend high-quality child care programs have better health outcomes and academic advantages later in life compared to their peers who do not have access to such programs.
For example, a 4-year-old child who recently enrolled in a Head Start program showed significant improvements in speech, social skills, behavior, and sleep. This highlights the transformative power of quality child care in a child’s life.
It is essential for policymakers to prioritize child care subsidies, expand access to high-quality child care programs, and support child care providers with better wages. By doing so, we can not only support working parents but also improve the health and educational outcomes of millions of young children. Trusting families to make the best decisions for their children and investing in quality child care can have a lasting positive impact on society as a whole.
