The Challenge
Childcare remains the largest expense in a typical Iowa family budget. The average monthly cost of childcare in our state is $1,035, which is high for any family but has the most negative impact on families with low income. Workforce remains a critical barrier to quality, affordable childcare. Unfortunately, the pandemic has exacerbated this issue and others within Iowa’s childcare environment.
Additional Facts
- Child care deserts are a growing reality for many communities across the state. The lack of access to child care is a real concern for the business community as finding quality employees is a challenge without available child care in the area.
- At 75 percent, Iowa ties for first in the nation for the percent of families where both parents work and have young children. Child care is a necessity to fill the jobs of today and tomorrow. Participants in the Child Care Assistance Program must work at least 28 hours per week to qualify.
- The cost of full-time care for an infant in child care costs more than the annual tuition at any of Iowa's Regents Universities.
Solutions
- Address structural problems in the state’s Child Care Assistance Program, such as expanding the entrance limit to 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
- Identify a sustainable funding source for Child Care WAGE$® IOWA and T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® IOWA statewide beyond SFY24.
- Implement tax cuts and credits to incentivize participation in the childcare workforce.
.png?width=125&height=81&name=UWCI-Blue%20(RGB).png)
Kate Bennett
%20-%20No%20Tagline.png?width=180&name=211%20Logo%20-%20color%20(white%20bubble)%20-%20No%20Tagline.png)
