The Impact of Child Care on Quality of Life in Texas
Child care significantly impacts the quality of life in Texas, and lawmakers must do more to expand access for more seats and ensure it’s affordable for working families, advocates say.
The Current Situation
Advocates stressed that message in Austin during a Wednesday hearing when they urge legislators to funnel more money to a Texas Workforce Commission program that helps families pay for child care. "Child care centers will continue to close, wait lists grow longer, and parents will remain stuck in a cycle where they cannot work because of lack of childcare, yet they cannot afford childcare without work," said Brian Van Dyck, who operates two centers in the Bryan-College Station, told a Senate committee.
The Numbers
Over 2.1 million children under six live in Texas, with 65% of their parents employed, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. However, excluding providers who solely serve school-age children, the Texas Workforce Commission can only provide daily subsidized child care to 114,000 kids, which excludes 560,000 other low-income children, according to the nonprofit Children at Risk. Advocates say the waitlist fluctuates between 80,000 to over 100,000 children a year in Texas.
The Cost of Child Care
The average cost for infant care in Texas is $777 per month, or $9,324 per year — nearly 14% of the state’s median household income of $67,321, according to research from the University of Texas at Austin. The workforce commission’s Child Care Services program provides partial and full scholarships for qualifying families.
The Impact on Families
Before the meeting, Oak Cliff resident Stephanie Sadler described being a "nervous wreck" when her day care center closed during the onset of COVID-19 and her family couldn’t find an affordable one that was open. She and her spouse were essential workers who needed to be in-person for their jobs. "I don’t think people really realize how important it is to have access to affordable, good child care," Sadler said. "It’s hard right now with the economy to live on one income, and I can’t imagine what we would do without our child care as well."
The Solution
Advocates say the solution is to increase funding for the Texas Workforce Commission’s Child Care Services program. The advocacy group Texans Care for Children estimates that adding $90 million a year to the program could serve about 10,000 more children. Ed Serna, the Texas Workforce Commission’s executive director, told lawmakers that the goal is to reach more than 155,000 kids by 2027.
The Challenge Ahead
Texas has approximately 14,000 licensed child care centers after 4,000 of them closed in the past two years, and without additional funding, that number could drop to 7,000 statewide, said Tim Kaminski, the Gingerbread Kids Academy owner and president-elect of the Texas Licensed Child Care Association. Money is the biggest obstacle in child care as it’s required for operating centers, paying teachers and affording supplies, advocates say. The rising costs for these resources results in increased tuition costs, burdening families and creating a "no-win situation," said Audrey Rowland, founder of Green Space Learning and president of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children.
Conclusion
The Texas Workforce Commission’s Child Care Services program is crucial in providing affordable child care options for low-income families. However, the current funding is insufficient, leaving many families without access to quality care. It is essential for lawmakers to increase funding for the program to ensure that more families can access affordable child care and that the state can continue to support the growth and development of its children.
FAQs
Q: What is the current state of child care in Texas?
A: The Texas Workforce Commission can only provide daily subsidized child care to 114,000 kids, excluding 560,000 other low-income children.
Q: What is the average cost of infant care in Texas?
A: The average cost for infant care in Texas is $777 per month, or $9,324 per year — nearly 14% of the state’s median household income of $67,321.
Q: What is the solution to the child care crisis in Texas?
A: Advocates recommend increasing funding for the Texas Workforce Commission’s Child Care Services program, which could serve about 10,000 more children.
Q: What is the impact of the lack of child care on families?
A: The lack of child care can lead to increased stress and anxiety for families, making it difficult for parents to balance work and family responsibilities. It can also result in reduced productivity and economic growth.
