Terri Spero’s Post

This is happening in my own backyard. Nearly half (42%) of South Carolinians live in a childcare “desert,” an area where there are more than three young children for every licensed childcare spot. And 61% of SC’s 167,000 children 3-and-under have working moms. BUT new and expecting parents are butting up against long wait lists and high costs for quality child care. Which is why our state-wide labor force participation rate is a mere 57% (compared to a national rate of 63%). WHAT IS GOING ON AND WHY CAN’T WE FIX IT? I’m not a lobbyist. I’m not a politician. I’m not an instigator. I’m just a working mom staring at a HORRENDOUSLY flawed system and wondering how we’re STILL HERE on May 8, 2024. If you’re a mom in SC, or anywhere in the U.S. who’s impacted by the lack of affordable and quality childcare— I’d love to hear from you and share your story. #workingmom #workingparents #childcarecrisis #childcare #workingmoms #workingparent 

Finding common ground on child care, a diverse group, including conservatives and liberals, crafted a cross-partisan Blueprint for Action. This plan aims to enhance care quality and accessibility, emphasizing it as a societal good and advocating increased support and flexibility. #ChildCare https://ow.ly/XVRQ50R2yFo

Did you know child care costs exceed rent in all 50 states?! Our Untapped Potential report highlighted the $5.4 Billion impact on Florida’s economy for not addressing childcare access and affordability. We know the lack of childcare access hinders parents’ ability to work and/or complete post-secondary programs. Reach out any time to join our early learning efforts at the Florida Chamber of Commerce Foundation and be a part of the solution. This pervasive issue is going to take all of us to tackle. https://lnkd.in/e4Qm6n5v

Understanding the child care landscape is a crucial first step toward advocating for an equitable, accessible and affordable child care system.” ChildCare Aware of America shares its 2023 analysis and recommendations for the childcare landscape; a very interesting read. https://lnkd.in/gjuHfDJd

Parents navigating the challenging landscape of child care describe it as a daunting quest reminiscent of 'The Hunger Games'. The journey is marked by extensive wait lists, heightened anxiety, and limited options, creating a sense of scarcity in the pursuit of excellence. The article sheds light on the experiences of four parents grappling with the demanding search for high-quality care. Read more about their compelling stories here: [Link to the article] #Parenting #ChildCare #earlychildhoodeducation #ece

Check out this article from The Post and Courier to read about our recent Impact event and how we're working to address childcare challenges!

Mapped: Infant Child-Care Costs by U.S. State https://ift.tt/tndo7Zp See this visualization first on the Voronoi app. Mapped: Infant Child-Care Costs by State This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Center-based child care costs have been increasing steadily over the past five years, according to recent data from Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA). The national average annual price of child care in 2023 across all age groups (infants, toddlers, and children over the age of 4) was $11,582—an increase of 3.7% from 2022. In 2019, about 32% of children under the age of one were enrolled in center-based care, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. This map shows the average annual price of child care in a licensed care center for infants (0 to 1 years old) by state in 2023, using data from CCAoA’s analysis of child care affordability in the U.S. Which State Has The Most Expensive Child Care Center for Infants? Below, we show the average annual price of infant child care in a licensed center by state in 2023. State Average annual cost for infant child care in a licensed center (2023) % of a married couple's median household income (2023) District of Columbia $25,480 10.4% Massachusetts $24,005 14.4% Hawaii $22,585 18.0% Washington $20,370 15.2% Minnesota $20,129 14.5% Maryland $19,906 12.8% New Jersey $19,634 12.5% New York $19,584 14.7% Colorado $19,573 14.9% California $19,547 15.0% Vermont $17,973 14.4% Connecticut $17,888 11.7% Oregon $17,680 14.9% New Hampshire $17,250 11.9% Rhode Island $16,899 13.2% Virginia $16,397 11.8% Illinois $16,373 12.7% Kansas $15,071 13.6% Delaware $14,995 12.0% Pennsylvania $14,483 11.5% Arizona $14,040 12.8% Indiana $13,736 12.7% Wisconsin $13,572 11.2% New Mexico $13,521 14.3% Nevada $13,024 12.6% Nebraska $13,000 11.2% Missouri $12,907 11.6% Michigan $12,667 11.0% Florida $12,639 12.1% Ohio $12,351 10.5% North Carolina $12,251 11.0% lowa $12,168 10.5% Tennessee $11,985 11.5% Maine $11,960 10.5% Alaska $11,760 9.5% Montana $11,700 11.0% Utah $11,232 9.9% Wyoming $11,075 9.8% Georgia $11,066 9.7% Texas $11,024 9.9% North Dakota $10,758 8.7% West Virginia $10,140 10.6% Idaho $10,108 10.2% Louisiana $10,101 9.1% Oklahoma $10,065 10.4% Kentucky $9,685 9.4% South Carolina $9,048 8.5% Arkansas $8,869 9.4% Alabama $8,771 8.4% Mississippi $8,186 8.5% South Dakota $7,862 7.1% The nation’s capital, D.C., recorded the highest average annual cost for infant child care at $25,585. However, Hawaii was the most unaffordable state when factoring in median incomes. On average, paying for infant childcare in a licensed center in Hawaii would make up 18% of a married couple’s median family income in 2023. The...

What’s New in Child Care This Month? At BridgeCare, we’re always tracking the latest in early care and education (ECE) to understand how we can better support families, providers, and the broader child care ecosystem. Here are some of the key developments across the U.S. leading into 2025. - Iowa: A pilot program successfully increased child care supply and workforce, but questions remain about sustainability as ARPA funding sunsets. - Indiana: The state reinstated voucher waitlists due to rising demand—a testament to improved access but a reminder of the growing need for resources. - Oklahoma: New research spotlights licensing barriers such as staff shortages and slow processes, signaling a need for systemic streamlining. - New York: Legislation expands access to subsidies and maternal health resources, including coverage for doula services—a win for holistic family care! - On the Horizon: Child care looks poised to play a significant role in 2025 legislative sessions throughout the country. These updates reflect a mix of progress, challenges, and hope for the future of ECE. What are your thoughts? Read more on the blog here https://lnkd.in/gpyisjFd

Our brains do not like instability, insecurity, unreliability, or uncertainty. Unfortunately, these are all characteristics of the current American child care system. Recent studies have connected some important dots to contextualize the psychological stress related to child care instability and maternal health outcomes. The negative AND the positive! Recent study from Carol Duh-Leong, Caitlin Canfield and colleagues showed that: -- Greater child care precarity is associated with increased risk of maternal depression -- Child care precarity at 3 years old increased likelihood of poor health at least six years later BUT  -- Access to emergency child care support buffered the negative effects of childcare precarity and *decreased* the risk of maternal depression. In addition, a study from Alejandra Ros Pilarz and Heather Hill suggested another potential stress buffer: GOOD CHOICES in child care.   -- Mothers who reported having “good choices in child care” had a reduction in high depressive symptoms, even when they faced the same degree of child care instability as those without access to good choices. These studies not only emphasize the risk of child care instability for maternal mental health but also the long-term health benefits of stabilizing the child care system. Especially when stability = access to high quality, affordable child care for EVERYONE. https://lnkd.in/giYJzMbR #ChildcareIsHealthcare #CareCantWait #maternalmentalhealth