Guest Blog by NAWB Senior Advisor, Laurie Boullion Larrea

Every working family understands this reality: access to safe, affordable, and high-quality childcare is not a luxury, it is a necessity. It is often the single most critical factor in completing a training program, securing employment, and staying on the job. Workforce development professionals have long recognized the foundational pillars of job placement and retention: reliable transportation, stable housing, and robust family support. But childcare is the linchpin that holds it all together. 

Without safe, affordable care that nurtures early learning, families are locked out of full workforce participation. Workforce professionals know that consistent, supportive services are essential—not just to place workers in jobs, but to keep them working and growing. Yet as of 2025, only seven states report labor force participation rates above 68%—a decline from just two years ago.

To explore this issue in depth, the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) convened experts from across sectors to examine the public and private systems that support working families. We examined federal and state policies that shape assistance programs, and profiled the real-life challenges faced by workers and trainees. Then we went further, spotlighting innovative employers who are stepping up to support their workforce by investing in childcare solutions. As highlighted in the 2024 Boston Consulting Group report for Moms First, companies are increasingly evaluating the return on investment (ROI) of helping employees access and afford childcare. Taken together, these findings underscore a clear truth. 

Childcare is a workforce issue. As more funding is directed toward training, we must identify new streams of support for the workers themselves. The cost of childcare remains a formidable barrier to employment and advancement, especially for young parents just starting their careers and earning entry-level wages. These are the very individuals we need in the workforce. 

What sets childcare apart from other workforce challenges is its dual impact: it supports today’s workers and shapes tomorrow’s future. Today’s toddler will enter the workforce in just 18 years. A nurturing, high-quality learning environment—paired with proper nutrition—fuels brain development and lays the foundation for a thriving, multi-generational American workforce. 

If you’re committed to strengthening our workforce, now is the time to expand your skills, build your network, and explore innovative partnerships. Dive deeper into public resources and employer partnerships that help families not just survive—but thrive! 

Missed our recent learning sessions? You can catch all three episodes on the NAWB YouTube channel.