Olympia committee talks about local childcare crisis

The Olympia Community Livability and Public Safety Committee (CLPS) discussed the city's childcare crisis, exploring the issues of affordability, accessibility, and potential solutions to support working families.

At the CLPS meeting on Thursday, Gary Burris, executive director of the Child Care Action Council (CCAC), provided an overview of the childcare challenges facing Thurston County.

Burris said CCAC supports childcare providers through on-site consultations, professional development, and family services.

Burris said that childcare businesses operate on thin profit margins, similar to the restaurant industry. High staffing costs and strict regulatory requirements drive up expenses.

Citing new data from Child Care Aware of Washington, Burris shared that the lack of affordable, accessible childcare has led to an estimated $6 billion in economic disruption across the state, as parents are forced to miss work due to a lack of care options.

The organization's latest report found that 62% of parents have missed work in the past year because of childcare issues.

Affordability and accessibility

CCAC Executive Director Gary Burris noted a mismatch between declining supply and steady demand, showing the accessibility crisis facing families in Thurston County.

JOLT Staff photo via Zoom

Burris emphasized the dramatic rise in childcare costs in recent years, presenting data illustrating the increases. He shared that in 2019, the average monthly cost for family childcare was around $850-$900, but by 2024 that had jumped to $1,300. The increases were even more pronounced for childcare centers.

Burris noted that the cost of infant care climbed from $1,083 per month in 2019 to $1,647 in 2024. Similar increases were also seen for toddler and preschool-aged care.

He explained that the rising child care costs have made it increasingly unaffordable, with infant care now exceeding $1,600 per month in some cases.

This is largely caused by the high staffing costs required to meet strict staff-to-child ratios, such as one adult for every four infants, as well as regulatory requirements that drive up providers' operating expenses. Burris noted that these high staffing costs, combined with the lower profit margins, make it extremely difficult for providers to keep costs down.

Burris noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on the childcare sector.

Numerous sites closed temporarily. While many reopened, they had to dramatically adjust their operations, taking on additional cleaning and sanitation requirements. Staff retention also became difficult during this period.

Burris underscored the growing accessibility challenge, noting that the number of available childcare slots in Thurston County has declined from 7,441 pre-pandemic to just 7,072 this year, even as the population of children ages 0 - 4 remains relatively stable at 15,979.

Another challenge is the workforce. Burris said this sector has low wages, resulting in high turnover rates.

He emphasized that the childcare workforce is critical, as having consistent, quality caregivers is essential for healthy child development. However, the low pay and high job stress make it difficult to recruit and retain qualified staff.

Mike Reid, Olympia's Economic Development director, pointed out that it has ripple effects across the local economy, with parents forced to make difficult choices or arrangements—relying on part-time childcare, adjusting work schedules, or turning to neighbors, relatives, or teenage caregivers to watch their children.

"If parents can't access childcare, parents cannot go to work, and thus economically suffer," Reed told the committee. "It's a big cycle."

Committee member Clark Gilman pointed out the significant increase in childcare tuition costs, noting that the $500 or more increase since 2019 matches the rent increase.

The councilmember found this situation "astounding," emphasizing the challenge families face in coming up with either a higher rate of pay or an additional 50 hours of work per month to afford the rising costs of childcare and housing.

Potential solutions

Burris outlined several solutions and government programs to address the childcare crisis. He said that a multifaceted approach involving federal, state, and local efforts is necessary to tackle the challenges.

At the state level, Burris said the Fair Start for Kids Act is focused on two key strategies: expanding access to the state's preschool program and increasing the income eligibility thresholds for childcare subsidies. This aims to make childcare more affordable for a wider range of middle-income families.

Burris also discussed the Child Care Aware of Washington campaign, which advocates for increased government investment in supporting the childcare workforce through higher wages and better benefits and reducing costs for families.

Looking at the local government, Burris pointed to examples in other Washington counties, such as Whatcom and King, that have passed property tax levies to fund early learning and childcare initiatives. He suggested this could also be a model for Olympia and Thurston County to explore.

Mayor Dontae Payne inquired about the impact of childcare levies in other Washington counties.

Burris elaborated that the Whatcom County levy is expected to generate around $10 million annually to expand subsidies and support childcare facilities. In comparison, the multi-year King County levy has provided over $400 million to invest in early learning programs.

According to Assistant City Manager Debbie Sullivan, the city government has taken steps to support its employees with childcare, such as the "Infants at Work" program, which allows city employees to bring their infants to work with them.

Sullivan also shares that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the city provided flexibility and accommodations for employees by allowing them to have their children present while teleworking.

Payne encouraged the city staff to assess further and potentially expand these internal efforts.