A lack of child care providers in Arizona might seem like a parent’s problem, but the crisis is one that the state as a whole is struggling to overcome, a new report says.
“Daycare deserts”, seen throughout the state, are taking a toll on tax payers, parents, and businesses — to the tune of $4.7 billion annually, according to a new report funded by the Helios Education Foundation. Of the 306 parents surveyed, 70% indicated having trouble obtaining quality child care.
This statistic is taking its toll on working parents and their employers, the report said.
More than half of survey respondents reported showing up late to work, being distracted, or taking a full day off as a result of no child care options. This results in a loss of $6,320 for each parent, and a $3 billion loss to the state, according to the report.
But, there’s more at stake.
The statistics, collected by merging survey data with labor market numbers, show that this child care burden costs Arizona businesses $958 million annually, and state taxpayers $725 million in losses.
However, living in a “day care desert” might impact the state’s youngest residents the most.
ReadyNation, an organization that promotes healthy children, refers to areas where there are three children vying for a single, licensed child care slot as a “day care desert.”
Children not lucky enough to secure a spot can face a host of problems, ReadyNation pointed out, including a lack of nurturing and brain development. This, too, could affect the state’s future workforce.
“Arizona policymakers can improve the availability of high-quality child care,” ReadyNation said Tuesday in a news release. “With wise investments, policymakers can improve life outcomes for thousands of Arizona children today and strengthen our state’s workforce and economy both now and in the years to come.”
Without action, the 474,000 working parents in Arizona with children ages birth through 5 years old will continue to struggle, the report said.
“Lack of affordable child care options is not just an inconvenience for parents in this state. It is holding back our economy,” said Michael Guymon, president and CEO of the Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce. “Parents need care for their children so they can go to work or school. Parents need to know that their children are well cared for in a quality setting and employers want a workforce that can focus on work.”
For some residents, the hill is harder to climb.
Report numbers indicate that a lack of adequate child care is even more dire for parents with non-traditional work hours, who live in rural areas or who qualify as low-income.
To some policy makers, this doesn’t come as a surprise.
Infant childcare in Arizona can cost parents about 14% of the median annual income of a married couple. ReadyNation said 7% is deemed an affordable cost.
In fact, child care rates are now higher than tuition at an in-state public. Costs to a family with one infant averages $14,040 annually with college tuition being about $2,000 less.
When it comes to low-income residents and those of color, the struggle to mesh full-time jobs with inadequate day care options become more apparent. While 28% of surveyed parents reported quitting a job due to child care challenges, that statistic rose to 36% for parents of color and 37% for low-income households.
These parents were most likely to experience the most damaging consequences of inadequate child care, reporting higher rates of quitting their jobs, being let go or fired, or being demoted.
Scattered across the state, stressed parents are feeling the heat and policy makers are taking notice.
“Quality child care options lead to productive employees and an expanded parent workforce helping businesses and families prosper,” noted Todd Sanders, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber.
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