A research project from
Child care is an economic development, family well-being and early childhood education issue that affects all Oregonians. Across the state, Oregon Voices survey respondents shared that availability and high cost of child care is a leading challenge in their communities. This issue brief focuses on the experience of parents of young children in particular, those who are most struggling to find child care that supports their families’ well-being.
More than three quarters (77%) of Oregon Voices respondents with children under the age of 5 rated their agreement with the statement “In my community…child care is hard to find” as a 4 or 5.
“Childcare, [or] lack of, is crushing the ability to have dual earners…”
– Rural household with children under 5, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, Klamath County
Although agreement was high across the state, respondents in Baker, Clatsop, Coos, Douglas, Jefferson, Lane, Umatilla and Union counties reported the highest agreement rates.
“The community has a decent population of young families so there is a lot of potential there. The concern is the shortage of child care.”
– Rural household with children aged 5-17, American Indian or Alaska Native, Umatilla County
When responding to the questions, “What is one thing that concerns you about the place where you live?” and “What else should we know about what it’s like for you to live in your community?” respondents shared about child care.
“We need so much more child care. It costs as much as our mortgage to pay for child care.”
– Suburban household with children under 5, white, Washington County
Click image to download issue brief PDF.