Way too much of Kansas City families’ budget goes to child care. There’s a better way | Opinion

“I make ‘too much’ for child care assistance, but still can’t afford tuition.”

A massive paradox exists in our society. Families that dream of thriving often face a painfully different reality: insufficient resources to support a child’s well-being.

Affordable early education should not be confined to the privileged few. In Jackson County alone, nearly 27,000 children under the age of 6 lack access to early education. When families cannot afford or access early education, inequity persists, truncating the potential of gifted young minds teeming with talent, innovation and resilience.

This is an issue that extends beyond the walls of the classroom. It’s about empowering parents with the financial freedom to invest in their families, while giving our children sustainability throughout the early education system for generations to come.

I’ve worked closely with families grappling with this challenge and I’ve witnessed firsthand the profound impact of limited access to quality early learning experiences. Parents emphasize the critical need for a comprehensive solution to achieve affordability.

When a family has access to affordable quality child care, it brings stability, fostering an environment where kids’ learning can progress. This stability extends into the home, reducing stress while creating a positive connection between academic knowledge and real-world experiences. These interactions play a pivotal role in shaping children’s brain development within their first five years.

According to a 2020 study by the Economic Policy Institute, a well-funded and high-quality early childhood education system not only provides relief to parents facing immediate financial strains, but can address the significant income loss experienced by those leaving the workforce because child care is just too expensive. Just capping early childhood education costs at 10% of a family’s income would lead to a significant boost in labor force participation.

In Missouri, the average cost of center-based child care exceeds the average annual tuition and fees at a public four-year college or university. About 40% of a single parent’s annual income is spent on center-based infant care, while married parents with two children living at the poverty line dedicate 66.6% of their household income to the same type of child care.

As a soon-to-be mother of two children under 3 years old, I am currently navigating the challenging landscape of securing affordable child care and facing the prospect of paying $24,000 this year.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

The Missouri Champion of Children Survey shares that more than 80% of Missouri voters recognize affordable child care as the key to overall success for children and their families, and 90% agree that child care supports surrounding businesses and the local economy.

Simply put, the foundation of a thriving Kansas City rests on early education

What will it take for Kansas City to prioritize and invest in our youngest residents?

Affordable early education is a cause that cannot be championed alone. It demands the collective commitment of our entire early learning community.

Without a steadfast commitment to meet families’ needs and desires, efforts to bridge service gaps risk falling short. All parents and children deserve champions dedicated to securing stable funding sources that lead to sustainable futures.

To the policymakers and community leaders of Kansas City: It is time to engage in conversation with parents. Give them a seat at the table. Learn from them. Use that knowledge to take action in your respective places of power and decision-making.

Now is the time for parents and community members to stand united, championing the cause of affordable early education for every family in Kansas City.

Together, we can turn a shared vision into a powerful reality and unlock potential for the future.