Families spend an average of $4,000 to $6,000 annually on child care, and some as much as $10,000, the report shows.
In some states, the average cost of day care can be twice as much as the cost of college tuition, and in many states child care providers are barely earning more than the minimum wage.
Although Jewish programs and families are not expressly mentioned in the report, Sammie Moshenberg, NCJW’s Washington director of operations, said the problems affect all groups.
“This impacts our community directly,” Moshenberg said.
The NCJW is calling on public and private sectors to work together to help employers offer affordable parental leave, flexible scheduling, telecommuting and support for on- and off-site child care.
Better resource and referral services to help parents select and monitor care are needed as well, the group says.