Childcare Is Everyone’s Business

When childcare works, families thrive, businesses succeed, and communities grow stronger. But right now, our childcare system is stretched to the breaking point — and it’s hurting all of us.

In San Joaquin County, there’s only enough licensed childcare for one out of every four children who need it. Families wait months — sometimes years — for a spot. Parents cut back their hours, turn down promotions, or leave the workforce entirely. Employers struggle to fill positions. And children lose out on the early learning experiences that build a foundation for lifelong success.

When childcare works, we all work.

The True Cost of Inaction

Every family impacted by childcare challenges represents not just lost opportunities, but lost potential for all of us.

Parents are losing wages and opportunities.

Employers face absenteeism, turnover, and shrinking talent pools.

Children miss out on critical development.

Our economy loses millions every year in productivity and growth.

A Future We Can Build Together

Imagine a region where every family has access to safe, affordable childcare. Where employers can count on a reliable workforce. Where children enter kindergarten ready to learn and thrive.

That future is possible — but only if we make childcare a priority. Together, families, providers, businesses, and community leaders can come together to reimagine what’s possible and push for the change we need.

To fully understand the Childcare Landscape and related challenges we turned to:

Families, Childcare Providers, & the Early Childhood Education Workforce

And this is what they had to say…

Challenges to accessing childcare:
0%
Childcare is too expensive
0%
Not available near my home
0%
Not available near my work
0%
Unreliable hours
0%
Waitlist is to long

The Childcare Crisis in San Joaquin County

0%
Families say childcare is simply too expensive.
0,420
Children under age 5 living below the federal poverty line in San Joaquin County.
0,000
The positive economic impact of creating just one licensed childcare slot.
$0 million
The estimated annual cost to our local economy from lost wages, absenteeism, and turnover due to childcare challenges.
0%
The share of children with working parents who have access to licensed childcare. Nearly 4 out of 5 kids lack a spot.
The plan

Next Steps

We invite you to join us in building and supporting a coalition committed to collectively developing a plan that reflects the true needs of families.  A coalition whose goal is to accelerate community level, cross sector efforts to address the childcare crisis.  Ultimately our collective efforts will expand access to childcare for working families across San Joaquin County and raise our engagement in regional and statewide efforts to address childcare challenges.