When people talk about child care, it’s often framed as a personal issue – concern for parents, and educators. But there is a growing recognition that child care is not just a social service or a parental challenge. It’s a workforce issue, an economic driver, and a business investment with significant returns.
What is Child Care?
There are many types of child care that can meet families’ needs. Some parents may choose a child care center, while others will opt for a Family Child Care Home. Many caregivers select a family member, friend or neighbor to care for their child. These are all great options, and each has its own set of positive qualities. Child care is an opportunity for children to develop socially, emotionally, cognitively and physically. Early childhood education is an important element of child care and the level of engagement varies depending on the type of care a parent selects. Providers often collaborate with parents to ensure the child’s needs are met in the care setting and their education continues at home. Learn more and explore additional benefits, types, and assistance options in our What is Child Care? blog on our website.
Child Care Matters More Than Ever
Nealy 50% of working parents report missing work due to child care issues. Child care scarcity was a problem even before the pandemic, but COVID-19 forced many child care centers and home care providers to close their doors.
During the pandemic, CCRC acted fast to enroll 2,236 children of essential workers in child care using emergency funding made available through the governor’s executive order. As this new funding became available, CCRC staff developed an extensive outreach plan and promptly helped secure child care for thousands of essential workers.
Child care isn’t just about children, it’s about keeping businesses thriving, too. Afterall, when families have care, teams can show up, businesses can grow, and communities stay strong.
Building a Stronger Economy Starts with Child Care
Across industries, companies are realizing that affordable, accessible child care is essential. Without it, employees- especially women- are more likely to reduce hours, leave the workforce, and turn down promotions. The result? Lost productivity, higher turnover, and limited diversity in leadership pipelines. And child care is not just about the present workforce- it’s also about our future one. High-quality early care improves cognitive and emotional development, school readiness, and long-term success.
Forward-thinking companies are already investing in solutions from on-site child care to child care stipends and backup care options. These investments are shown to improve retention and productivity, as well as enhance reputation.
New Mexico has been offering free child care for families who make up to 400% of the federal poverty level, and starting November 1, 2025, it will remove the income eligibly requirements – making it the first state to offer free universal child care for families. This new policy will make it easier for parents to work or attend school and improve child development outcomes. CCRC President, Donna Sneeringer, was recently featured in the LAist to discuss this groundbreaking policy. Click here to read the full article.
Countries with robust public investments in early child care – like Sweden, Finland, and France, to name a few, provide free or heavily subsidized child care. In fact, in much of Europe and parts of Asia, child care is treated as a public good, much like public education. In the United States and other countries with market-based systems; however, child care is often treated as a private responsibility, which leads to high costs for families, lower access for low-income households, and undervalued child care workers. The U.S. has some of the highest child care costs in the world. According to Child Care Aware, in California it costs an average of $22,628 to have an infant in a child care center. Support varies by state and is often limited to low-income families through programs like Head Start, Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG), and tax credits.
How CCRC is Planting Seeds for the Future
Our agency is a child care and community service organization and our employees use child care. Many have young kids, and access to child care is what allows them to come to work every day to help other families access child care so they can also go to work. Donna Sneeringer elaborates, “We know our business relies on the ability of our employees to come to work knowing their kids are well cared for, safe, growing, and thriving.”
Child Care Resource Center has called on business leaders to provide child care for employees and continuously works to improve care options for more families. A big part of CCRC’s work involves collaborating with lawmakers to stress the importance of child care for all families. Our government relations team actively works alongside legislators to help secure new funding, like the historic increase in reimbursement rates for providers that was signed by the governor in 2021.
Family finances should never be a barrier to quality child care. We understand the importance of affordable and accessible child care options for families in California. There are a number of child care financial assistance programs designed to support families in need. If you live, work, or need care in Northern Los Angeles or San Bernardino Counties, please click here to learn more and apply.
At CCRC, we strongly believe that when we care for our children, we’re investing in our people, our companies, and our collective future. By prioritizing child care, businesses don’t just support families- they build the foundation for sustainable success.