Arkansas parents, especially mothers, are struggling with high childcare costs, forcing many to choose between staying home or working, as lawmakers discuss potential solutions.

Childcare Costs and Employment

The Women’s Foundation of Arkansas shared findings showing that nearly seven in 10 mothers say childcare expenses are a barrier to employment. The average cost of infant care in Arkansas is nearly $9,000 per year, while care for both an infant and toddler raises costs to more than $17,000 annually.

“Moms are trying to work and want to work, but they’re having to make impossible choices based on their financial circumstances,” said Maddie San Juan, director of strategic initiatives for the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas.

Potential Solutions

Lawmakers and state officials discussed several possible solutions, including expanding flexible workplace policies, improving access to childcare assistance programs, and developing new data tools to better track the needs of families and childcare providers.

State officials also updated lawmakers on the School Readiness Assistance Program, which helps eligible families pay for childcare. They warned that childcare providers could experience temporary payment delays as the state transitions to a new system.

Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.