The child care system in the United States doesn’t just affect children and parents, it’s woven into the fabric of our economy. But right now, that fabric is fraying. The child care system in the United States is broken and it’s costing everyone.  

It costs parents who often pay more for child care than they would for college tuition. It costs the workforce, often women of color who are underpaid and undersupported. It costs employers who lose $23 billion a year in missing revenue, productivity and hiring costs from employees struggling to find child care. It doesn’t have to be this way. Across the country, innovations are proving that a better child care system is possible.  

This new animation explains how the W.K. Kellogg Foundation is scaling effective solutions by investing in innovative programs, advocating for more public investment and supporting sustainable business models that work for children, parents and providers. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient child care system that works for everyone.