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Critical Community Issues

Quality, Affordable Childcare

The Childcare 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%, Iowa ties for first in the nation for the percent of families where both parents work and have young children. Childcare 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% 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.
Impact

  • "Childcare in central Iowa represents one of our most prolific challenges, and its solutions will make an impact for our youngest central Iowans, and in every other element of a thriving community."

    Kate Bennett
    Kate Bennett
    Community Impact Officer, Early Childhood Success and Education Success

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