Presentation Published March 12, 2026 · 1 minute read
Understanding Child Care in America
Child care has become one of the biggest affordability challenges facing American families. Over the past 25 years, the price of care has more than doubled—forcing many parents to make difficult tradeoffs between work, finances, and the care they want for their children.
As policymakers search for solutions, understanding how parents experience the child care system and what they want for their kids is critical. Our new poll analysis presents key findings on how parents feel about child care options available to them, cost challenges, and their experiences navigating the balance between care and work.
