Impending Child Care Cliff Threatens Access for Millions of Kids

Up to 3.2 million children in the U.S. could lose access to child care as federal funding of $24 billion expires this week, leading to potential closures of up to 70,000 child care centers nationwide. The "child care cliff" would have far-reaching consequences, forcing many parents to reduce their working hours or quit their jobs, resulting in an estimated loss of $9 billion in earnings per year. Women, who make up a significant portion of the workforce, would be disproportionately affected. The closure of child care programs would also lead to the loss of 232,000 child care positions and increased costs for parents. While some politicians have introduced legislation to provide funding, it faces challenges without Republican support, and the child care system in the U.S. requires a comprehensive overhaul involving both government and private sector support.