Each year CCAoA surveys Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) organizations and state agencies to gather information on the price and supply of child care. This year’s national results showed supply has increased modestly for licensed centers, in line with recent trends. Surprisingly, the number of licensed family child care (FCC) homes also increased—by approximately 5%—a reversal of the pattern seen over the past several years. This increase, however, was driven by just 10 states (CA, KS, MA, IN, KY, ME, NY, OR, and SC). These national findings are a positive sign that meaningful state and federal investments in child care over the past five years are paying off.
Click here to see child care supply trends in your state
However, prices remain a substantial burden for families, with CCAoA’s study finding an average annual child care price of $13,128. This average price represents 10% of the median income of married couples with children and a whopping 35% of the median income of single parent families.
Click here to see the average price of child care in your state
Annual child care prices for two children (an infant and a preschooler) exceed several other major household expenses in nearly every state:
- In 45 states and Washington, DC, the price of child care for two children is higher than annual mortgage payments.
- In 49 states and Washington, DC, child care prices for two children surpass annual rent.
- In all four regions of the US, the price of child care for two children is higher than food, transportation, healthcare, and in-state college tuition costs.
Child care is often framed as one of many household expenses, but for many families, child care has become the household expense. Other families are priced out of the child care system completely and have to cobble together care arrangements for their children, so parents can work.
Despite these rising prices for families, compensation for child care professionals remains low. On average, child care center workers earn just $33,140 per year, making them unable to afford child care for their own children. The current child care system fails both parents, who cannot afford care, and the child care workforce who cannot make a living.
While trends have child care supply moving in the right direction, the system’s progress is precarious. Now more than ever policymakers at the state and federal levels can bolster families through sustained, increased funding for the child care system. Together we can make America child care strong—and that makes everyone stronger.
