Strong Child Care Infrastructure Supports Thriving Local Economies

Last month, we blogged about how employer child care needs assessments can enable employers to better understand and help to address their employees’ child care challenges. What if, instead of being an employer, you are an organization interested in a broader look at child care needs and impacts within a specific geographic area, such as a city, county, or chamber of commerce?

In an April 2026 explainer, Bipartisan Policy Center describes how child care is an essential part of economic infrastructure. It is a necessity for working parents of young children, giving them a reliable place for care so that they can participate in the labor force. When labor force participation is strong, the economy benefits. However, there are often challenges with child care affordability, availability, and accessibility. It is estimated a lack of child care access will cost the U.S. economy more than $300 billion over the next 10 years.

Recently, the National Association of Counties published a report, Building Sustainable Childcare Solutions, that outlines strategies counties can use to develop sustainable child care solutions. The report highlights approaches such as building partnerships with employers, financing, early childhood workforce development, and addressing regulatory barriers. There are many child care challenges that communities face; while some are not unique (e.g., workforce shortages, cost), others are and might be influenced by local industries, employer-supported child care solutions, and even the condition of and space for child care facilities.

There are many inspiring examples of local communities advancing child care strategies to support workforce solutions. In a National League of Cities case study, The Policy Compass in Roanoke, VA: Child Care as Workforce Strategy, Roanoke, Virginia is described as a growing economy with child care access and affordability challenges that prevented workforce participation in certain industries. Roanoke made zoning policy changes so that more family day homes could operate in residential neighborhoods, and the city proposed an incentive program for employers to provide onsite child care. The case study highlights that “Roanoke is reframing child care as essential infrastructure.”

We recommend that local governments or those supporting communities (e.g., chambers of commerce) consider conducting a Child Care Needs Assessment to understand and, ultimately, strengthen their child care infrastructure. This first step helps to identify community needs and then determine the strategies and supports needed to enhance the system. Some solutions might be low or no cost and while others could require more substantial investments. Having this information can help communities to maximize funds and partnerships or seek resources that enhance the child care infrastructure and health of the local economy.

As an agency that supports communities in conducting Child Care Needs Assessments, we encourage local governments or organizations to consider a three-part approach to understanding child care infrastructure needs: input from local employers, child care providers, and families with young children. We implement surveys, focus groups, and one-on-one interviews to help communities build a deep understanding of successes and challenges. This is supplemented with a child care landscape snapshot of the data, resources, and gaps in the current system.

We encourage you to explore Foundations for Families’ Consulting Services. If you are interested in exploring what a child care needs assessment might look like for your community, please be in touch. Our team of consultants will work with your program to determine a process, timeline, and approach that is the best fit for your needs.

Thank you.

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