The Child Care Crisis in Texas: Challenges and Solutions
DIBOLL, TEXAS — The ongoing child care crisis in Texas is driving many families, like that of Acacia Tarver, into a difficult financial situation. After the birth of her son in 2021, Tarver applied for a state scholarship to gain assistance for child care costs, but after a lengthy wait, she only received the aid months later.
The Financial Burden of Child Care
Acacia and her husband, Ty’Kiedren, faced challenging discussions about job conditions as the cost of child care forced them to consider who might stay home with their child. In July 2021, they enrolled their three-month-old in a Montessori day care while Tarver resumed her role as a surgical coordinator. By November, they were thrilled to learn the scholarship had finally come through, but it was a precarious wait.
“The day care was sending emails of a tuition increase, and it was increasing by $150 to $200 a month,” Tarver remarked. “Who can afford that? You’re basically working to send your child to day care.” Currently, approximately 95,000 children across Texas are on waitlists for similar scholarship programs, with at least 1,300 living within the Deep East Texas area, waiting for assistance since May 2024.
Legislative Responses to Address the Crisis
In acknowledgment of these challenges, state lawmakers are discussing funding increases for child care scholarships. “My goal would be to infuse some dollars to reduce that waitlist,” said state Representative Armando Lucio Walle, a Houston Democrat. “So many families would like to go to work, but it’s just cost prohibitive.”
However, experts in child care caution that funding alone may not resolve the underlying issues. Texas, like other states in the nation, faces significant shortages of child care centers and workers. The fees charged, while high, are often insufficient to cover operational costs.
According to Marilyn Hartsook, interim director at Workforce Solutions in Deep East Texas, “Without new day care centers around the region, we’re probably not looking at a whole lot more children that we can serve.” Charles Miller, the director of health and economic mobility at Texas 2036, emphasized the need for better data to understand the scope of child care deserts in Texas, which inhibits effective investment in the sector.
The High Costs of Child Care
Tarver’s experience reflects a broader trend; Texas families are burdened with exceptionally high child care costs. The Tarvers were initially paying $630 monthly for infant care, representing about 70% of the average monthly child care expenditure in Texas, which is recorded at $892. “What bill can be late? What bill can we push back?” Tarver reflected on the difficult choices families must make in prioritizing expenses.
- On average, Texas parents spend around $2,000 more annually on infant care than the cost of in-state college tuition.
- 4-year-olds in preschool cost parents approximately $1,300 more than tuition fees in college.
Scholarship distribution is primarily based on various factors, with priority given to families with foster children. For those on waiting lists, assistance is allocated as space and funds become available. The payout varies by region and is influenced by local market rates and facility capacity, with many still facing out-of-pocket expenses after receiving aid.
Staffing Challenges in Child Care Facilities
The harsh reality extends to child care facilities themselves, which are facing increased operational costs. Cody Summerville, CEO of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children, pointed out that inflation has similarly affected child care, noting, “Child care has not been exempt from inflation.” Staff turnover is also a significant concern, exacerbated by low pay—averaging between $12 and $14 per hour without benefits.
The Path Ahead: Future Prospects for Child Care
At the Katherine Sage Temple Early Learning Center in Diboll, where dedicated staff like Shelbi Adams and Loretta Cortines work tirelessly, there is an awareness of both challenges and potential. Elisha Richardson, the center’s director, expressed the necessity for funding to sustain operations, noting the importance of child care in allowing parents to work while providing early education to children.
Richardson is pursuing plans to expand the center’s facilities to accommodate more children from a long waitlist—half of whom qualify for state scholarships. However, her efforts underscore a systemic issue; child care deserts persist across Texas. In some areas, available spots for enrolled children are fewer than the number of working parents, posing a critical barrier to affordable care.
As Texas legislators deliberate on potential budget increases for child care funding, the road ahead remains uncertain. The challenges faced by families and providers alike exemplify the pressing need for cohesive, informed responses to an industry that serves as a cornerstone of economic stability. Enhancing data management and support for child care workers will be essential in paving the way for genuine progress.
House bills aimed at better data collection and prioritizing scholarships for child care workers’ children may represent vital steps forward. Texas 2036 advocates the necessity of comprehensive data collection to inform resource utilization and payment strategies moving forward, ensuring that every child has access to the care necessary for healthy development.
