To afford child care
Hoosiers need to make 239% more
Child Care Costs in Indiana
In communities large and small, parents must make difficult choices between work, quality child care, and other essential costs. This disparity places strain on family budgets and can limit access to high-quality early learning programs.
Affording Child Care is a Real Challenge
Because costs are rising faster than incomes, many parents struggle to balance care with work and other expenses. Statewide surveys show that the cost burden can force parents to cut back work hours, change jobs, or even leave the workforce altogether.
This strain isn’t just financial; it affects family routines, job stability, and access to early learning experiences that matter for children’s development.
The Economic Impact Extends Beyond Families
High child care costs don’t just affect households; they affect Indiana’s economy. Research shows that challenges in child care access and affordability contribute to billions in lost economic activity each year because parents miss work or can’t participate fully in the workforce.
When care is too expensive, communities lose out on productivity, local spending, and future growth.
What This Means for Boone County
For Boone County families, these state trends translate into everyday decisions about budgets, careers, and children’s early education opportunities. Affordable, high-quality child care isn’t just helpful; parents need to work, children need to learn, and the local economy needs to thrive.
The video above illustrates how child care costs in Indiana continue to outpace family incomes. For Boone County families, this reality influences everything from work schedules to access to quality early learning.
Ensuring affordable, high-quality child care is critical for supporting families, children’s development, and a strong local workforce.
Join the Movement for Boone County Early Learning
Together, we can ensure every child has access to safe, nurturing, and high-quality learning experiences.