Report: Missouri’s Child Care Crisis Impacts Babies in 112 of 115 Counties
St. Louis, MO – A new report reveals a dire infant and toddler care shortage in Missouri, with 112 out of 115 Missouri counties designated as “infant and toddler child care deserts.” These deserts are defined as areas with three times more children than licensed child care slots for children under two years of age. The report highlights that only 16% of licensed child care slots in Missouri cater to infants and toddlers, and only 66% of child care providers offer such care.
“The number one priority in our state must be making sure every mom and dad has what they need to raise healthy, happy kids, and this report shows very clearly that they currently don’t,” said Brian Schmidt, Executive Director of Kids Win Missouri. “With 97 percent of our counties designated as child care deserts for infants and toddlers, we are simply not getting the job done. “This is not just a family issue; it’s a drain on our economy, impacting employers’ bottom lines. We must ensure that all Missouri parents have access to affordable, quality child care they need to work, support their families, and thrive.”
The scarcity of available child care leaves families struggling to find care for their youngest children, forcing many parents, particularly mothers, to limit their participation in the workforce or leave it altogether. The report underscores the prohibitive cost of infant and toddler care, which is unaffordable for most families without significant financial assistance. This situation substantially strains employers, the economy, and, most importantly, the healthy development of young children. Communities across Missouri have developed comprehensive research on these challenges.
The new report follows a Missouri child care desert analysis released by Child Care Aware of Missouri last month.
The report recommends collaboration among the public and private sectors, supporting the viability of child care providers, and expanding access in underserved communities are key steps Missouri can take to address child care gaps.
“Access to quality, affordable child care is essential for the healthy development of children and the economic stability of families,” added Robin Phillips, CEO of Child Care Aware of Missouri. “We need innovative solutions that recognize the shared responsibility of ensuring our youngest children have the nurturing care they deserve.”
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