The cost of child care in Wisconsin is becoming increasingly unaffordable for many families. The median price for full-time infant care in a child care center has risen 8% since 2025, to $17,400 a year. This is nearly a quarter of the median family’s income, and for families with multiple young children, the cost can be even more burdensome.

A Broken Market

Economists describe the child care market as ‘broken’ because parents are already paying more than they can afford, and child care businesses still can’t afford to pay staff family-sustaining wages. The average wage for a lead child care teacher in Wisconsin is $13.55, less than half the $28.34 average for all Wisconsin workers.

For many families, the cost of child care is forcing difficult decisions. Some are having to choose between paying for child care and other essential expenses, such as housing and health insurance. Others are having to rely on family members or friends to care for their children, or are having to reduce their work hours to care for their children themselves.

The state’s Department of Children and Families surveys child care providers across the state each year to assess the going rate for child care in every county and tribal nation. The latest figures show that the cost of child care is rising faster than the rate of inflation, making it even more difficult for families to afford.

As the state payments that have propped up child care providers for years come to an end, families could face even higher costs. This is a concern for many parents, who are already struggling to make ends meet.

Original reporting: Wisconsin Watch — read the source article.