Child Care Disruptions Create
Up to $70 Billion Opportunity
for U.S. Businesses
New research from Moms First reveals a proven way to stabilize your workforce: provide child care benefits to employees
Download the ReportThe Most Overlooked Lever for Workforce Stability
But within that loss is a clear, actionable opportunity.
At a time when companies are navigating unprecedented disruption, from AI to labor shortages, child care is one of the most immediate and underutilized levers to stabilize the workforce.
At the center of this opportunity are foundational workers: the nurses, teachers, retail associates, and manufacturing employees who keep businesses running.
The Data Behind the Opportunity
When access breaks down, businesses feel it immediately through absenteeism, turnover, and lost productivity.
Increase Flexibility
Improve Access
Reduce Costs
Expand Supply
Support Early Parenthood
Leading Employers Are Already Seeing Results
Across industries, companies are implementing child care solutions and seeing meaasurable gains in workforce stability and workforce satisfaction.
3.5K+
Global team members have signed up for Wellthy since launch in 2022 (available to both full and part-time employees)
~37K
hours saved in the U.S. through the caregiving concierge
<2 days
time for team members to be matched with a dedicated Care Coordinator
30%+
of Hilton U.S. team members have been with the company for 10 years or more
~200
children served annually
~$1.5M
annual investment by UAMS toward tuition and operations
~25%
tuition subsidy cap per child
~90%
current capacity utilization
~50%
tuition discount for full-time child care with providers
~$700K
total invested by JBS in child care since April 2022
~150
children enrolled in a company-sponsored child care program on average each week
~13
provider operating hours aligned to plant schedules, with some weekend coverage
$500
monthly child care stipend provided through a lifestyle spending account (LSA)
~100%
utilization among all parent employees
~40%
of average child care costs covered (out of $1,200 on average in OKC)
3
eligible care types, including child day care center, licensed nannies, and Mother's Day Out (MDO) programs
10 days
backup child care credits available per employee per year
$1,200
invested annually in "Care Cash", disbursed through Upwards to pay for in-network care or out-of-network providers
~50%
of employees are registered for child care benefits on Upwards
#1
child care is the highest utilized benefit among employees
Download the Report Now
Acknowledgements
This research was funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. We thank them for their support but acknowledge that the findings and conclusions presented in this report are those of the authors alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Foundation.
This report was developed by Moms First with analytical support from McKinsey & Company, which included using research from the McKinsey Health Institute. McKinsey’s role was limited to providing data analysis and research insights. The findings and any associated interpretations or recommendations presented in this report are those of Moms First and do not reflect the views of McKinsey & Company.