Gotta Have Childcare | Virginia needs affordable, quality child care

Quality, affordable childcare impacts children, families, and our communities.

Virginia’s economy, workforce competitiveness, and ranking as one of the top states for business depend on hardworking families being able to access quality, affordable child care. Over 70 percent of Virginia children under age six have parents in the workforce, which means families rely on child care to go to work. The lack of access and high cost of child care are not just a challenge for Virginia’s working parents but they present a significant constraint on our workforce, economy, quality of life, and democracy – impacting citizens in every neighborhood and locality in the Commonwealth.

The Problem:

While Virginia has come a long way in building a child care system centered on choice, quality, access and affordability, challenges persist:

The Facts:

85%

of Households Priced Out

According to a recent report from the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, infant childcare is already unaffordable for 85% of Virginia households.

$3.1 Billion

Lost Annually in Virginia

The lack of accessible and affordable infant-toddler care in Virginia costs taxpayers $3.1 billion annually in foregone wages, lost productivity, and unrealized tax revenue.

42%

are able to access the state’s child care programs

Despite Virginia’s bold commitment to increasing access, only 42% of eligible families estimated to need publicly-funded child care are able to access the state’s child care programs.

The Solution:

#gottahavechildcare

To fully realize the potential of Virginia’s children, families, and economy, policymakers must make sustained investments to maintain and support increasing parent demand for affordable, quality childcare services for Virginia’s working families.