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The Rising Cost of Child Care in Ohio

  • Groundwork Ohio
  • Feb 25
  • 3 min read

Jacob Oates, Program Manager

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Child care is essential for working parents, yet the rising cost of care in Ohio is making it increasingly difficult for families to afford quality early learning opportunities for their children. Over the past few years, the cost of child care in Ohio has surged, placing a significant financial burden on parents and caregivers.


Ohio 2023 average child care expenses: Infant $12,351, Toddler $11,125, Preschooler $9,580. Blue text boxes with white text.

 

Child Care Prices Continue to Increase

The cost of center-based child care in Ohio has seen a dramatic rise over the past three years. According to data from Child Care Aware, the annual cost for full-time care has increased significantly:

 

These increases make child care one of the largest expenses for Ohio families, often surpassing the cost of in-state college tuition.

 

The Burden on Families

The financial burden of child care in Ohio is paralyzing. The average household with two children spends 29% of its income on child care. Ohio ranks last (51st out of 50 states and D.C.) in eligibility for child care subsidies based on household income. This means fewer families qualify for financial assistance compared to other states, leaving many parents struggling to afford care.

 

Infographic shows child care costs as 29% of income for families with two children. Median income: $65,720. Blue icons and text.

The economic challenges families face are highlighted in Groundwork Ohio’s 2024 Child Care Poll:

  • 51% of Ohioans and 44% of parents with young children rate their financial situation as "only fair" or "poor."

  • 34% of parents with children under five report serious difficulty paying rent or mortgage.

  • 47% struggle to pay credit card bills.


For many families, the high cost of child care means difficult trade-offs, such as reducing work hours, taking on additional jobs, or relying on lower-quality care.

 

Limited Access to Affordable, High-Quality Care

Also reported in the 2024 poll, finding child care is a financial challenge, but it’s also about availability:

  • 49% of parents with children under five say child care is difficult to find.

  • 51% of parents say access to high-quality, affordable care has worsened.

  • 73% believe child care is too expensive.

  • 61 % of Ohio moms with children five and younger who do not currently work full time say they would go back to work if they had access to high quality and affordable child care.

 

Text on blue background: "Investing in Child Care is a Proven Workforce Strategy." Red graphic: "OVER HALF" with figures, urging Ohio moms' return to work.

These barriers prevent many children from accessing the early learning experiences, that are critical for their development, and prevent many parents from being able to work. Parents unable to afford child care may reduce their work hours or leave the workforce altogether, impacting businesses and local economies.

 

State Efforts to Address the Crisis

Ohio currently provides Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) for families earning up to 145% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and offers additional support through the Child Care Choice Voucher Program, which helps families earning 146%-200% FPL afford care. As of December 2024, 6,500 children from 4,300 families have received support through this program.

 

Under Governor DeWine’s budget proposal in House Bill 96, initial eligibility for PFCC would increase from 145% to 160% FPL, expanding access for working families. The budget also sustains the Child Care Choice Voucher Program, ensuring families earning up to 200% FPL continue receiving assistance. Additionally, the proposal guarantees that homeless children receive 12 months of PFCC eligibility, providing much-needed stability for vulnerable families. These measures mark progress in addressing Ohio’s child care crisis but must be strengthened to fully meet families' needs.

 

Advocating for Families

To further support working families, Groundwork Ohio has outlined key budget priorities for the next two years:

  1. Make Work Pay for Working Families

    • Expand access to affordable, high-quality child care for families earning up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

    • Implement a refundable child tax credit for working parents with young children.

  2. Improve Health Outcomes for Moms and Babies

    • Increase access to evidence-based home visiting programs, such as the Family Connects model statewide.

    • Invest in community impact models like Cradle Cincinnati to reduce infant and maternal mortality by promoting collaboration between hospitals, managed care organizations, and community partners.

  3. Support Quality Early Learning & Kindergarten Readiness

    • Strengthen early childhood education by improving payment practices for child care providers.

    • Invest in early literacy programs grounded in the science of reading and expand access to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Ohio.

 

Child care in Ohio is more expensive than ever, placing an unsustainable burden on families. With costs rising by more than 20% over the past three years, many parents struggle to find or afford care. While state programs offer some relief, Ohio ranks last in child care assistance eligibility, leaving thousands of families without support. Stay involved with Groundwork Ohio for updates and opportunities to engage.

 

By investing in working families today, the state can secure a brighter future for our workforce of tomorrow.

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