THE TRUE COST OF CHILD CARE

WORK DOESN'T WORK WITHOUT CHILD CARE

When child care breaks down, families struggle, businesses lose workers, and Montana pays the price.

Child Care Is Everyone’s Business

The child care crisis doesn’t just affect parents — it impacts our entire community. When families can’t access or afford care, businesses lose employees, children miss out on critical early learning, and our local economy suffers. The facts below paint a clear picture of what’s at stake in Montana. We need your voice. Download and share these graphics to help raise awareness, spark conversation, and show that investing in child care is investing in a stronger future for all. Together, we can be the solution.

Too many Montana families are forced to spend far more on child care than what is considered affordable, pushing them to make difficult decisions between their careers and basic needs. When child care costs consume family income, parents and businesses both feel the strain. 

When nearly a third of household income goes toward child care, families are left financially vulnerable. This level of expense forces many parents to reduce work hours or leave the workforce altogether, affecting family stability and economic growth.

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For many Montana families, infant care costs rival or exceed major expenses like housing or higher education. This financial burden often keeps parents, especially women, from staying in or rejoining the workforce.

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The high cost of providing quality care means most child care businesses are underfunded and understaffed, limiting the number of available spots for families and creating long waitlists. Without investment, the system cannot meet demand.

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Early educators and child care providers are essential to our economy, yet many live in poverty due to low wages. To build a strong child care system, we must also support and retain the workforce that makes it possible.

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The lack of access to affordable care disproportionately affects women, who often reduce work hours or leave the workforce entirely. This deepens gender wage gaps and limits career growth.

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Thousands of skilled workers in Montana are sidelined or forced to work fewer hours because they can't access or afford child care. Solving this challenge means growing our workforce and strengthening local businesses.

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When child care is unavailable or unaffordable, businesses lose valuable employees and face recruitment challenges. Employer-supported child care is a proven solution to help attract and retain talent.

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When families don’t have reliable care, parents miss shifts, lose wages, and risk job security. This instability not only affects families but also disrupts operations for employers and the wider economy.

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The child care crisis is taking a serious toll on Montana's economy. From stalled business growth to lost workforce participation, the cost of inaction is high. Local solutions that support families and child care providers are essential to our state’s long-term economic success.

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Younger generations expect employers to offer flexibility, child care support, and work-life balance. To stay competitive, businesses must evolve to meet these expectations.

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Early childhood is a critical window for cognitive, emotional, and social development. When children receive high-quality care in their early years, they are more likely to thrive in school and beyond. It’s one of the most impactful investments a community can make.

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When child care issues limit employee availability, business growth slows. Companies across the state are experiencing lost opportunities due to the lack of a strong child care infrastructure. Supporting care means supporting local economies.

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