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Parent and Caregiver Market Themes

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Curious where our data comes from?

[1] U.S. Census Bureau. n.d. “ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates Table S2302: Employment Characteristics of Families – Clinton, Eaton, Ingham.” U.S. Census Bureau. https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2022.S2302?q=S2302:%20Employment%20Characteristics%20of%20Families&g=050XX00US26037,26045,26065

[2] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. September 30, 2016. “Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Program.” Federal Register 81(190): 67438–67595. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2016-09-30/pdf/2016-22986.pdf

[3] U.S Department of Labor, Women’s Bureau. n.d. “National Database of Childcare Prices.” U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/wb/topics/featured-childcare

[4] Maureen Coffey and Rose Khattar. September 2, 2022. “The Child Care Sector Will Continue to Struggle Hiring Staff Unless It Creates Good Jobs.” Center for American Progress. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/the-child-care-sector-will-continue-to-struggle-hiring-staff-unless-it-creates-good-jobs/

[5] Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP). n.d. “2021 Kids Count in Michigan: Cost of Child Care by County.” MLPP.org. https://mlpp.org/cost-of-child-care-by-county/

[6] Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). n.d. Child Development and Care (CDC) Annual Information Fiscal Year 2023. Michigan.gov. https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/-/media/Project/Websites/mdhhs/Inside-MDHHS/Reports-and-Statistics—Human-Services/Annual-Report/2023/GA-041-Annual_CDC.pdf?rev=413c5e67f54647188930b9a3b7d25345&hash=3FFAAB6D400BFD09761A3A2F455559ED.

Child care is essential for the success of our communities and the economy; without reliable, affordable, and quality care, many parents and caregivers are left to make difficult choices about their employment.

This can take away a family’s financial stability and take away valuable members of the workforce from the region’s businesses. An overwhelming number of the nation’s parents are involved in the workforce. The tri-county region of Ingham, Clinton, and Eaton Counties is no different. Of the 30,300 opposite sex married couples with children, 99 percent had at least one parent involved in the workforce. Single-parent households in the region also have a high workforce participation rate; 86 percent of single parents with a child under 18 are involved in the labor force.[1]

The CACCC acknowledges and respects the diversity of family structures, and although the Census does not yet collect data on same-sex couples with children, it is likely that they also have high rates of workforce participation. Unsurprisingly, the child care needs of families largely reflect their workforce participation. In a 2023 CACCC survey of the region’s parents and caregivers:

78%

said they need weekday care

67%

said they need full-day care

63%

said they need care during the daytime hours of 6:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Still, parents need care outside of traditional hours as well; sick child care, drop-in or emergent care, and after-school care are just some types of care that survey respondents said they needed but did not have access to. Why can’t parents and caregivers find the care they need? The CACCC gathered data on the needs of parents and caregivers through analysis of publicly available data, a survey of families in the region, and discussions with parents.

The Costs of Child Care Are Unaffordable, Even for Families with Higher Incomes

Affordable child care is defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as no more than 7 percent of a household’s income.[1] By this standard, a household that makes the median income, affordable child care would cost $5,052 per year. Both home- and center-based child care costs are higher than that. In the region, the following table shows the annual median cost of child care by age group and care setting[2]:

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Age Group Home Based Center Based
Infant $7,881 $11,528
Toddler $7,664 $11,528
Preschool $7,388 $10,087
School age $7,388 $9,127

Families that make minimum wage or less than $50,000 are especially burdened by the costs of child care. On average, child care costs 41 percent of a family’s income if they work full time earning minimum wage.[3],[4] Survey respondents with children under the age of two and making less than $50,000 annually are spending 21 percent or more of their income on child care costs.

Families that make minimum wage or less than $50,000 are especially burdened by the costs of child care. On average, child care costs 41 percent of a family’s income if they work full time earning minimum wage.[4],[5] Survey respondents with children under the age of two and making less than $50,000 annually are spending 21 percent or more of their income on child care costs.

Even those who make more than minimum wage struggle to afford child care. Based on the CACCC’s parent and caregiver survey, child care costs are a top-two barrier for families making:

95%

$50,000 or less

93%

$50,001–$100,000

74%

$100,001–$150,000

76%

over $150,000

Although financial support is available through a Child Development and Care (CDC) subsidy, only 59 percent of eligible families in the region received a subsidy in fiscal year 2023.[6]

There Aren’t Enough Child Care Slots Available to Meet the Needs of the Region’s Families

Because of a complex combination of child care staffing challenges, the types of care needed by families, and costs, there are not enough child care slots across Eaton, Ingham, and Clinton Counties to allow for all children to be enrolled in the type of care they need. Parents and caregivers agree—72 percent of CACCC survey respondents said that the availability of open spots is a top barrier to accessing care.

The aren’t enough apots available across the region for any age group:

Five

children under the age of two are competing for one child care seat

Two

children between the ages of three and five are competing for one child care seat

Four

children between the ages of 6 and 11 are competing for one child care seat

When taking into account family preferences such as location; quality rating; care for special needs, including disabilities; and hours, the number of children competing for one spot likely climbs. Additionally, the number of child care options in the region for those caregivers working nontraditional hours is even more limited.

These Challenges Have Real Implications

Seventy-two percent of parents and caregivers surveyed said they had job attendance troubles as a result of child care circumstances, and many others cited challenges such as productivity trouble, missing appointments or engagements, or even employment loss or withdrawal.

The CACCC also held discussions with parents and caregivers where they heard about the effects of child care challenges that extend beyond economic ones. One parent said that constant staffing turnover at their child care provider makes it hard for their children to transition and get to know new people. Another cited safety concerns after their center had active shooter threats, something that a parent should never have to think about.

What Are Parents Looking For?

In addition to affordability and availability, the majority of parents said that trust is the most important factor they’re looking for when searching for child care, followed by safety and staff qualifications.

The Capital Area Child Care Coalition is working to make these desires a reality for families across the region. Learn more about what you can do to help.