As a mom of three little ones, I’ve been fortunate enough to avoid childcare costs entirely. My partner and I work opposite shifts, and we have family nearby to help out. When I returned to work after just seven weeks with my middle child (maybe a bit too soon, right?), I felt secure knowing he was with someone I trusted. But that’s not the reality for countless families out there.
In 2020, nearly three million women left the workforce due to the pandemic, which shuttered daycare centers, shifted schools to remote learning, and left many childcare programs suspended indefinitely. Moms everywhere faced the tough decision of choosing between their careers and caring for their kids. The ongoing crisis of inadequate and unaffordable childcare became glaringly obvious, leading many women to exit the workforce entirely.
We need more affordable childcare options in the U.S., and it’s crucial that caregivers receive fair wages. Sadly, even as moms are starting to return to work, a severe shortage of childcare resources persists, making it difficult for some to re-enter the job market. For many families, the high cost of childcare often outweighs their income.
Even before the pandemic, research showed that many Americans lived in so-called “childcare deserts,” with three out of five rural communities lacking proper licensed facilities. This issue has disproportionately impacted families from Latin, Black, and other minority or lower-income backgrounds. Without access to quality childcare, fewer women can work and earn a living wage. The pandemic only intensified this already dire situation.
On average, the cost of childcare for a child aged 0-4 can range from $9,100 to $9,600 annually. In Washington D.C., it can exceed $24,000! For parents with multiple kids, childcare expenses can surpass their rent or mortgage payments. And if a child has special needs, those costs soar even higher. It’s widely recognized that the burden of childcare often falls on women, and with childcare expenses consuming over 20% of the average American’s income, it’s no wonder that many families struggle to afford licensed care.
On the flip side, many childcare facilities have struggled to remain open throughout the pandemic. With enrollment plummeting due to high costs, facilities that have reopened are often running at reduced capacity. Some parents face waiting lists that stretch for years. Moreover, many educators have left the field for better-paying jobs, citing low wages and health risks. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for childcare workers is a mere $11.17 an hour, which is just over $23,000 annually. With children under five still unable to be vaccinated, many teachers are understandably hesitant to return to such low-paying and high-risk positions. This has left many centers understaffed, making it tough to care for the number of children they once did.
President Biden’s Build Back Better plan aims to tackle these long-standing issues. Some proposed solutions include childcare subsidies that would cap most Americans’ childcare costs at 7% of their income, free universal prekindergarten for three- and four-year-olds, paid family leave, and an enhanced child tax credit. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that we have a lot of work to do. No parent should have to choose between their job and their child’s care. Let’s advocate for fair wages and better childcare options for everyone.
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In summary, affordable childcare remains an elusive goal in the U.S., affecting moms’ ability to return to work. The pandemic has only highlighted the urgent need for better solutions, fair wages for caregivers, and accessible childcare for all families.
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