Ernst co-sponsors act making childcare more affordable

As someone with 46 years of experience in early childhood education and child care, I want to thank Sen. Joni Ernst for cosponsoring the Child Care Availability and Affordability Act. At a time when many families are struggling to afford child care, this legislation is a crucial step toward ensuring parents can remain in the workforce while their children receive the quality care they deserve.

According to Child Care Aware the average cost of child care in Iowa for an infant at a center is $12,168 per year. Say the family has a four-year-old at the same center. The average cost is $11,143 per year. That family is looking at over $23,000 per year. The high cost has parents making difficult choices between work and caregiving.

The bipartisan bill would make child care more affordable by expanding tax credits for families, increasing pretax savings options, and offering incentives for businesses to provide child care support for employees.

Working with families over the years I have seen so many struggle trying to balance work commitments with the high cost of child care. This bill offers real relief and a path toward a more sustainable child care system. It gives me hope to see our federal delegation working across party lines to support families and the workforce behind the workforce. I urge lawmakers to champion this bill and ensure families in Iowa and across the country have the child care support they need.

Cathy Meyer

Cedar Rapids