The Skyrocketing Cost of Child Care Is Taking a Toll on Florida Families

Nearly 40% of Floridians live in areas where there are at least three times more children than licensed child care centers available.

The high cost of child care, as well limited and understaffed day care centers, are putting a strain on Florida families.

Florida, along with Georgia and Louisiana, saw the biggest jump in the cost of care providers for 3- and 4-year-olds, with an annual average increase of at least 144%, according to a recent report from LendingTree. Nationwide, parents are seeing an average annual cost increase of 41% in child care.

According to a Pew Research Center study released last week, these increased costs have disproportionately impacted working mothers, who are significantly more likely to leave their jobs when families lose access to childcare.

On top of the rising costs, many centers are understaffed. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics released a new report last Friday, showing the child daycare industry nationwide lost another 3,700 employees in December. That number is in addition to the 4,500 employees previously reported from last September through November.

Child care workers also have been underpaid in Florida and usually do not have benefits, such as health insurance.  These workers and early childhood educators receive lower wages than their K-12 colleagues, and at $10.87, their median hourly pay is below the national average.

Not only is staffing limited, but so are the centers themselves. According to the report, nearly 40% of Floridians live in areas where there are at least three times more children than licensed child care centers available.