How the child care crisis is affecting costs in Washington

The rising cost of child care has been putting pressure on employers and employees alike.

New data from Care.com found Washington is one of the most expensive states for child care. Weekly daycare costs in the state jumped 9% to $337 in 2023 from the year prior.

Meanwhile, weekly nanny and babysitter services cost Washington parents $872 and $193, respectively.

A lack of access to affordable child care has heavily shaped the workforce since the pandemic — keeping many parents out of the workforce and limiting talent pools for businesses. The expiration last September of $24 billion in pandemic-era funding for child care providers only added to the crisis.

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2024/06/18/childcare-costs-rising-eclipse-mortgage-rent.html