For many working parents, childcare is what makes it possible to keep a job and bring home a paycheck. Without reliable care, some families may have to cut back their hours, change their schedules, or give up a job altogether.
A nationwide survey of 2,000 parents with children ages 6 and younger found that most rely on some form of childcare to manage daily life. Their arrangements range from grandparents and friends to daycare centers, nannies, babysitters, and early childhood education programs.
Most Parents Rely on Some Form of Childcare
More than eight in 10 parents surveyed use some type of childcare, though that doesn’t mean every child attends daycare five days a week. Many families combine different sources of care to fit their work schedules and household budgets.
Grandparents and other close family members were the most common sources of support, followed by friends, daycare centers, early childhood education programs, nannies, and babysitters. For many households, having someone dependable to care for the children is what allows parents to keep working.
The survey also found that most parents in dual-income households work because their families need the income. For these households, having one parent stay home to provide full-time childcare may simply be too expensive.
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Without Childcare, Some Parents Would Have to Stop Working
Parents were asked what they would do if their current childcare arrangements suddenly disappeared, and the answers showed how closely care and employment are tied together. About one-quarter said one parent would need to reduce their work hours, while a similar share said one parent would have to leave the workforce.
Many other families said both parents would need to change their schedules to manage childcare at home. For single parents, the problem can be even harder because no second parent may be available to cover hours when care falls through.
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Raising Kids Now Takes a Bigger Village
Seven in 10 parents surveyed said raising children today requires them to trust more people with their children than their own parents did a generation ago. For many families, that means relying on a network of relatives, daycare workers, babysitters, and early education providers.
Parents take those decisions seriously, especially when someone else will be caring for their child for much of the day. The survey found that parents who used daycare centers or early childhood education programs spent an average of 39 hours researching their options before choosing.
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Parents Want More Than Someone to Watch Their Kids
Parents often look for childcare that supports their children’s growth, social skills, and confidence, rather than a place where children spend the day. Socialization, creativity, problem-solving, emotional development, and school readiness all ranked among the survey’s priorities.
For many families, a good childcare setting gives children a chance to make friends, learn new skills, and become more comfortable in group settings. Parents also want to know that their children are safe and receiving attentive care while they’re away at work.
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Finding Childcare Is Still a Challenge
Cost was the most common obstacle parents reported, but it wasn’t the only problem families faced. Long waitlists, limited openings, concerns about reliability, and hours that don’t match work schedules can make finding suitable care difficult.
Nearly all parents surveyed said having a choice of childcare options matters to them, yet about two-thirds wished they’d had more options when making their own decisions. For families who need care to keep working, a lack of available places can leave them with few workable alternatives.
Quality Childcare Is Still Seen as an Investment
Most parents surveyed said they view quality early education as an investment in their child’s future. Parents whose children attend early childhood education programs also reported gains in social skills, creativity, confidence, emotional growth, and problem-solving.
Childcare also plays a major part in household finances because it allows parents to earn an income and remain employed. When care is too expensive, unreliable, or unavailable, families may have to rethink who works, how many hours they can manage, and how they’ll cover their bills.
For many working parents, childcare isn’t an expense they can simply cut from the budget without consequences. Reliable care supports children and helps parents keep their jobs, making access to affordable options a concern for families and employers alike.
