Employers Can Help

Supply & Affordability
The availability and affordability of child care remain a top struggle for parents. For many, to obtain or retain a job relies on child care.
The price of child care in Virginia is high. Child Care Aware of Virginia data shows that the average annual price of center-based child care for an infant in Virginia is $16,762 and for a preschool-age child is $13,832. The average annual price of care for an infant in a family child care home in Virginia is $12,948 and is $11,908 for a preschool-age child.
Employers Can Help
There are many options available for employers to consider to better support the child care needs of working parents. Employers can begin with a survey of employees to better understand their greatest challenges.

Mothers with Children Under Age 5 (McKinsey & Company Survey, 2022)

53%
Mothers who left the workforce, reduced their hours or moved to a less-demanding job said they did so because of child care responsibilities
69%
Mothers who said they would be more likely to choose an employer that offered assistance with child care expenses
83%
Mothers who said child care benefits would be a “very important” or “somewhat important” factor in taking a job