How COVID-19 has endangered the child care industry

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September 17, 2020
ChiccoDodiFC // Shutterstock

How COVID-19 has endangered the child care industry

Child care for an infant costs the average American family more than $11,000 each year, according to Child Care Aware of America's 2019 report. Those costs ran around $10,000 for a toddler and more than $9,000 for 4-year-olds. By June 2020, more than half of parents in a Care.com survey reported concern over rising child care costs amid the pandemic.

Their fear is warranted: The Center for American Progress estimated in April 2020 that the pandemic could crater access for American families by reducing child care slots by close to 4.5 million. Meanwhile, working families with kids younger than 5 routinely pay roughly 10% of their household income on child care—40% more than the 7% of income defined as affordable for child care by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. These families increasingly have less access to child care and pay a higher proportion of income on the service, which in many cases is the only reason both parents are able to continue working. 

Stacker consulted reports from the Center for American Progress (CAP) to see in raw numbers how COVID-19 has impacted and endangered the child care industry in the United States. In this story, we drew from two CAP reports: the first, published in April 2020, estimates the child care capacity in every state that is at risk of disappearing if governments do not adequately support child care providers. This report's estimates are based on state-by-state NAEYC survey response data and CAP child care deserts data. A CAP representative in September 2020 expressed to Stacker that they still accurately reflected the challenges facing child care providers. The second report, published in September 2020, estimates the expenses that families currently face for placing children in child care centers or family-based (in-home) care. This report also includes estimates for the overall operating costs of the child care industry in each state.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that Congress passed in March 2020 funneled $3.5 billion to states via the Child Care and Development Block Grant to support access to child care. With a rising need for these services come gaps in sufficient resources for workers, who make on average $11 an hour, and families, who have struggled to make ends meet amid skyrocketing unemployment rates and business closure.

Since then, Congress has passed several acts and packages designed to save the struggling industry and the parents who count on it, including the HEROES Act and the American Rescue Plan. Parents are also asking their employers for child care and flexibility to better manage the New Normal of parenting.

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Alabama

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 52% (54,873 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 3.34 pre-COVID, 7.06 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $935 (48.2% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,064 (71.9% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $39.8 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $1.4 million

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ChiccoDodiFC // Shutterstock

Alaska

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 49% (8,793 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 3.6 pre-COVID, 4.96 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,282 (36.8% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,432 (75.9% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $9.4 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $224,054

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Arizona

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 50% (105,851 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.48 pre-COVID, 2.81 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,257 (83.5% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,281 (75.0% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $106.4 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $1.8 million

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Arkansas

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 43% (61,739 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 1.6 pre-COVID, 7.36 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,103 (84.8% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,192 (64.4% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $63.5 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $1.4 million

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California

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 51% (419,708 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 3.61 pre-COVID, 6.13 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,417 (53.7% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,442 (75.2% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $468.0 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $11.9 million

 

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ChiccoDodiFC // Shutterstock

Colorado

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 55% (80,504 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.76 pre-COVID, 4.41 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,469 (59.7% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,384 (80.2% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $85.5 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $1.9 million

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Connecticut

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 48% (46,349 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.3 pre-COVID, 2.61 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,528 (32.2% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,481 (65.3% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $58.7 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $1.2 million

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Delaware

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 58% (28,196 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 1.1 pre-COVID, 4.15 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,217 (55.8% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,185 (74.3% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $16.0 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $399,625

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Florida

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 56% (419,633 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 1.82 pre-COVID, 3.74 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,141 (102.3% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,203 (74.9% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $342.5 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $6.3 million

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Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

Georgia

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 39% (135,951 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.28 pre-COVID, 8.6 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,177 (114.8% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,207 (63.1% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $164.2 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $3.0 million

 

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Hawaii

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 49% (11,930 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 4.41 pre-COVID, 5.82 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,289 (30.7% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,464 (65.8% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $12.8 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $420,873

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Idaho

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 53% (27,231 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.74 pre-COVID, 6.32 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $672 (9.4% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,116 (72.5% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $14.9 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $607,425

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Illinois

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 49% (141,214 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 3.22 pre-COVID, 6.02 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,391 (45.2% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,291 (71.9% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $158.1 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $3.1 million

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Indiana

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 50% (84,120 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 3.01 pre-COVID, 3.18 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $934 (17.0% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,167 (70.9% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $66.1 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $1.8 million

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ChiccoDodiFC // Shutterstock

Iowa

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 51% (78,013 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 1.56 pre-COVID, 5.46 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,257 (59.7% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,143 (67.3% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $75.5 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $1.6 million

 

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Kansas

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 51% (44,341 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.67 pre-COVID, 4.24 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $923 (11.3% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,199 (65.8% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $35.9 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $1.2 million

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Kentucky

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 42% (56,714 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.46 pre-COVID, 3.71 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,084 (57.6% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,241 (61.8% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $58.6 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $1.4 million

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Louisiana

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 36% (56,532 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.37 pre-COVID, 3.15 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,151 (111.2% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,129 (64.3% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $72.3 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $1.7 million

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Maine

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 48% (22,814 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 1.64 pre-COVID, 6.33 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,226 (19.3% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,400 (71.8% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $24.0 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $775,735

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Maryland

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 53% (78,375 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.98 pre-COVID, 4.33 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,624 (52.5% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,370 (65.9% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $91.9 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $1.9 million

 

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Massachusetts

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 34% (51,646 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.86 pre-COVID, 3.95 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,396 (9.7% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,504 (74.3% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $85.7 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $1.8 million

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Michigan

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 41% (121,264 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.33 pre-COVID, 4.19 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,251 (61.0% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,285 (67.1% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $148.5 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $3.6 million

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Minnesota

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 55% (124,261 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 1.89 pre-COVID, 4.5 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,505 (60.1% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,396 (66.0% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $131.8 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $2.3 million

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Mississippi

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 54% (58,883 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.07 pre-COVID, 6.06 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $883 (13.2% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,129 (59.5% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $38.5 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $1.0 million

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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

Missouri

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 48% (68,459 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 3.15 pre-COVID, 9.25 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $902 (11.4% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,216 (69.4% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $52.9 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $1.7 million

 

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Montana

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 58% (11,323 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 3.89 pre-COVID, 4.01 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,206 (48.9% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,258 (68.0% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $9.5 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $285,685

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Nebraska

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 54% (46,639 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 1.84 pre-COVID, 9.33 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,304 (45.2% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,355 (62.1% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $45.5 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $944,777

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Nevada

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 42% (17,302 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 5.41 pre-COVID, 4.07 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $722 (10.7% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,212 (67.2% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $12.2 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $360,281

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New Hampshire

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 37% (11,197 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.57 pre-COVID, 4.99 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,358 (71.2% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,266 (73.4% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $16.4 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $364,047

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New Jersey

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 54% (147,889 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.3 pre-COVID, 3.8 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,678 (65.6% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,488 (64.6% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $183.8 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $2.5 million

 

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New Mexico

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 29% (16,622 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.69 pre-COVID, 7.9 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,356 (87.6% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,246 (66.6% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $31.0 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $616,890

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Beloborod // Shutterstock

New York

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 50% (176,567 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 3.95 pre-COVID, 4 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,750 (30.7% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,519 (69.9% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $237.5 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $4.2 million

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Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock

North Carolina

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 44% (143,946 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.24 pre-COVID, 3.54 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $765 (12.3% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,175 (73.3% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $102.1 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $3.5 million

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North Dakota

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 49% (17,426 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 1.8 pre-COVID, 3.35 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,406 (51.5% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,216 (78.0% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $19.0 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $481,397

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Ohio

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 45% (204,765 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 1.84 pre-COVID, 7.48 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,269 (101.4% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,213 (71.3% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $230.5 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $4.8 million

 

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Oklahoma

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 60% (63,599 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.99 pre-COVID, 5.91 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,118 (71.5% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,159 (63.5% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $47.6 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $1.2 million

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Andrey_Kuzmin // Shutterstock

Oregon

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 48% (44,287 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 3.07 pre-COVID, 4.47 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,273 (30.6% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,329 (78.2% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $47.6 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $1.2 million

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Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

Pennsylvania

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 50% (190,874 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.23 pre-COVID, 3.44 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $950 (11.5% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,229 (69.5% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $147.1 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $4.0 million

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Rhode Island

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 24% (6,039 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.61 pre-COVID, 5.56 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,289 (37.1% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,311 (78.4% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $13.0 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $316,030

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South Carolina

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 63% (108,273 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.06 pre-COVID, 6.2 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $663 (12.6% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,140 (67.2% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $46.7 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $1.4 million

 

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DGLimages // Shutterstock

South Dakota

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 51% (12,413 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 3.04 pre-COVID, 4.3 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $842 (8.4% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,201 (66.1% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $9.2 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $239,136

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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

Tennessee

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 44% (89,567 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.41 pre-COVID, 5.9 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,200 (41.3% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,200 (64.4% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $97.7 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $2.3 million

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Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock

Texas

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 54% (483,632 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.71 pre-COVID, 21.13 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $740 (10.3% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,292 (61.3% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $278.6 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $7.0 million

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Poznyakov // Shutterstock

Utah

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 73% (39,033 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 5.71 pre-COVID, 3.15 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $872 (27.1% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,204 (68.9% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $20.5 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $545,660

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Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

Vermont

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 31% (5,161 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.17 pre-COVID, 3.85 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,128 (10.0% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,425 (79.5% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $7.8 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $420,790

 

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Robert Kneschke // Shutterstock

Virginia

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 45% (130,373 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.12 pre-COVID, 5.32 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,323 (79.0% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,335 (64.4% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $153.4 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $2.6 million

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bbernard // Shutterstock

Washington

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 29% (42,214 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 3.78 pre-COVID, 2.51 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,520 (55.3% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,426 (82.8% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $87.3 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $1.7 million

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Canva

Washington D.C.

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 20% (6,596 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.01 pre-COVID, 7.43 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,400 (7.9% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,586 (78.0% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $27.7 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $454,732

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Oksana Shufrych // Shutterstock

West Virginia

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 56% (20,346 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 3.27 pre-COVID, 4.19 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $829 (11.9% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,216 (66.8% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $13.3 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $471,643

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ChiccoDodiFC // Shutterstock

Wisconsin

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 30% (41,357 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.94 pre-COVID, 3.87 post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $808 (12.2% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,166 (75.3% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $46.7 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $1.8 million

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M2020 // Shutterstock

Wyoming

Child care availability:
- Child care supply that could be lost: 43% (8,667 licensed child care slots)
- Children in the state per available slot: 2.21 pre-COVID, post-COVID

Child care costs:
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for child care centers: $1,223 (46.8% increase from pre-COVID)
- Post-COVID monthly average cost for family care: $1,276 (69.5% increase from pre-COVID)

Cost for supporting the child care industry:
- Operating costs for 40% of the state's child care slots: $10.0 million,
- Monthly fixed costs for 20% of child care providers: $266,172

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