Childcare is central to the economic well being of families, businesses, and communities. Research indicates that high quality care for young children directly affects the productivity of both the current and future workforce.

Many families are struggling to balance family and work while providing their children with quality care. Over the next ten years, it is projected that 85% of the workforce will be working parents. Not only are more parents going to work, they are also spending more time working. Compared to 20 years ago, the average amount of time spent on the job has increased by 3.5 hours per week.Working parents with young children are experiencing increased work-family conflict.

• ƒEmployees with inadequate childcare are more likely to be late for work, absent, or distracted on the job than parents who are confident about their children’s child care arrangements. Employees may be forced to spend time at work or take time off to handle childcare concerns.
• ƒA 1992 survey found that nearly 30 percent of workers knew employees who quit their jobs because of inadequate childcare.Productive and valued employees who leave their jobs because of childcare problems increase hiring and training costs.
• ƒHigh rates of turnover, absenteeism, and low productivity cost employers money. It is estimated that absenteeism caused by poor quality childcare costs American business more than $3 billion a year.
• ƒWorking parents lose the equivalent of six days of work annually due to childcare issues or problems, costing Seattle businesses approximately $112 million a year.