Child care costs are still rising while the supply is staying the same.

The research, Child Care at a Standstill, which integrates annual survey data, states that although the number of child care centers recovered to pre-pandemic levels in 2022, the supply did not increase in 2023. The shortage of child care has been for a while, and the pandemic made it worse.PRNewswire/—May 15, 2024—ARLINGTON, Va. -- According to a new analysis issued today by Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA), the availability of child care in America is stagnant, despite rising costs. The report also underscores the challenges families have in finding high-quality, reasonably priced child care so they may continue to engage in the workforce.The research, Child Care at a Standstill, which integrates annual survey data, states that although the number of child care centers recovered to pre-pandemic levels in 2022, the supply did not increase in 2023. The shortage of child care has been for a while, and the pandemic made it worse.Furthermore, from 2022 to 2023, the national average cost of child care increased by 3.7% to $11,582, a cost that is higher than typical family household expenses including rent. The average national cost of child care is so high that it requires 10% of the income of a married couple with children or 32% of the income of a single parent with children to pay for a year of care.

"The child care industry in America is stagnant, but it doesn't have to be. True advancement is achievable. Susan Gale Perry, Chief Executive Officer of CCAoA, stated, "We can make changes to increase the supply of child care and save families money—just look at successful pandemic-era investments in child care." "We must challenge the broken business model of our current child care system and move forward to prioritize sustainable state and federal funding increases and policy changes in support of improving quality, accessibility and affordability while fortifying the workforce."