Finding Child Care Is a Big Problem in North Carolina

Parents in Western North Carolina are struggling because child care spots keep disappearing. Since early 2023, many daycares have closed down due to low pay for workers and tight budgets. This leaves working families with fewer options, forcing some to quit their jobs or cut back on hours just to manage care for their kids. The situation hits low-income families the hardest, who often have to choose between earning an income and paying for child care that costs more than rent in some cases. The problem doesn’t stop at families—businesses feel the impact too. When parents can’t find reliable care, they miss work, which means companies lose productivity. In North Carolina, this costs employers billions every year, not just in missed productivity but also in turnover when stressed parents leave jobs. The ripple effect spreads further in Western North Carolina. Many workers commute from neighboring counties, but if child care falls through, those commutes become unstable, making it harder for businesses to keep reliable staff.Experts say the child care crisis is costing the state over five billion dollars annually in lost economic opportunities. That’s money that could be going toward better pay for workers or thriving local businesses instead of covering gaps in care. A proposed solution involves state funding to keep programs running, raising subsidies for families who need help, and improving pay for child care workers. This two-part fix aims to stabilize the system so parents can work without fearing sudden care shortages. Right now, the system is broken in multiple ways: high costs, too few teachers, and not enough spaces. Without changes, the cycle will keep hurting families and employers. The state has a chance to fix this during the next budget talks. Investing in child care isn’t just about helping parents—it’s a step toward a stronger economy for everyone.