Romer: A strong workforce begins with accessible, quality child care
If we want to build a thriving community and a resilient economy, we must start at the beginning — by investing in early childhood education and accessible child care. It’s not just a moral imperative; it’s a smart business decision.
The data is clear: lack of child care isn’t just a family issue — it’s an economic issue. When working parents struggle to find reliable child care, businesses suffer from lost productivity, higher turnover, and a shrinking workforce. A recent report from Moms First and the Boston Consulting Group found that inadequate child care costs employers $13 billion annually due to lost productivity. Additionally, 58% of parents who left their jobs cited the inability to find child care as a driving factor. Here in Eagle County, where our workforce is the backbone of tourism, hospitality, health care and other essential industries, these statistics hit close to home.
The impact extends beyond workforce participation. Quality early childhood education sets children up for lifelong success, improving academic outcomes, increasing future earning potential, and fostering social and emotional development. Studies have consistently shown that children who receive high-quality early education are more likely to graduate from high school, pursue higher education, and earn higher wages as adults. It’s a return on investment that benefits businesses, communities and families alike.
So, what can we do? Businesses must step up and recognize child care as a fundamental workforce support. The good news is that investing in child care benefits pays off — literally.
Companies providing child care support see up to a 425% return on investment through improved retention, productivity and employee satisfaction. Some of the most effective strategies include direct subsidies, on-site child care facilities, backup care options, and flexible dependent care benefits. These measures not only help parents remain in the workforce but also ensure they can focus on their jobs without the constant stress of unreliable child care.
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Beyond the business case, we must also consider the broader community impact. Families forced to navigate a broken child care system experience financial strain, career setbacks, and mental health challenges. The inability to secure affordable, quality child care disproportionately affects women, who are more likely to leave the workforce or reduce their hours, widening the gender wage gap. If we want to promote economic equity and diversity in leadership, solving the child care crisis must be a priority.
Policy solutions are equally critical. A Small Business Majority poll found that 75% of small business owners support public investments in child care to ensure working parents have affordable, high-quality options. Expanding tax credits, providing grants for child care providers, and incentivizing employer-sponsored child care programs can create a system that works for everyone. Local and state governments have a role to play in supporting child care infrastructure, whether through zoning changes that facilitate new child care centers or funding partnerships that expand capacity.
Investing in child care is an opportunity to strengthen our entire education system. The benefits of early childhood education extend into K-12 learning, reducing the need for remedial programs and special education services. By giving children a strong start, we’re creating a pipeline of future students who are more prepared, engaged and capable of contributing to society in meaningful ways.
The bottom line? Our community’s economic health depends on a strong, supported workforce — and that starts with child care. By investing in solutions today, we’re ensuring a stronger, more prosperous future for Eagle County. Employers, policymakers and community leaders must work together to create sustainable solutions that benefit families and businesses alike.
It’s time to move beyond viewing child care as a personal problem and treat it as the community and business priority it truly is. The success of our workforce, our economy and our children depends on it.
Chris Romer is president and CEO of Vail Valley Partnership, a three-time national chamber of the year. Learn more at VailValleyPartnership.com.
