Understanding Child Care Challenges
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 Idaho is high. A 2025 report from Child Care Aware of America listed the average annual price of center-based child care for an infant in Idaho at $10,608 and for a preschool-age child at $9,201. The average annual price of care for an infant in a family child care home is $7,380 and is $7,152 for a preschool-age child.
The combined average price of full-time care for an infant in a family child care home and a preschooler in a child care center was $16,581 in 2024, 17.7% of median income for a family of three, 15.1% of median income for a family of four.
The combined average price of full-time care for an infant in a family child care home and a preschooler in a child care center was $16,581 in 2024, 17.7% of median income for a family of three, 15.1% of median income for a family of four.
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.
Why does child care cost so much?
The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) created a video about the child care business model. The video is brief (about 3 minutes) and explains how the cost of care is a struggle - not only for parents, but also for child care providers who rely on parent fees to pay staff and fixed costs such as mortgage or rent, utilities, maintenance costs & repairs, and supply. BPC shows why the business model is broken and recommends that policy solutions are needed. Watch Rethinking America's Child Care System (2021).