Data Transparency
Primary sources, research studies, and government data that inform our analysis
Key Research Studies
Analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data found that 400,000+ women, mostly mothers of young children, left the U.S. workforce in the first half of 2025 due to unaffordable childcare costs.
Annual Price & Supply Analysis (2024): National childcare cost data showing the average annual cost of $13,128 per child. Infant care in centers averages $16,000/year—exceeding public college tuition in 38 states.
Breaking Down: The Economic Cost of Child Care Disruptions in Washington (2023): State-level analysis showing Washington's economy loses $6.9 billion annually due to childcare disruptions. Full-time infant care in Seattle costs $22,000-$42,000/year according to local surveys.
Policy research showing the U.S. economy loses $122 billion annually due to lack of affordable childcare and paid leave. CAP's childcare desert analysis found that 51% of Americans live in areas with inadequate childcare supply. Their research on the Child Care for Working Families Act shows it would help 3.4 million families by capping costs at 7% of household income.
Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis economists found that most childcare businesses operate at less than 1% profit margin. The childcare workforce includes approximately 2 million teachers and caregivers (with 1.2 million directly employed as childcare workers). Annual turnover ranges from 26-40% across studies, significantly higher than most occupations.
Recent Developments
Seattle voters approved the Families, Education, Preschool and Promise (FEPP) Levy on November 4, 2025, with 76.71% voting yes. This six-year renewal will double access to high-quality childcare and preschool, expand academic and health supports, and strengthen post-secondary opportunities for Seattle families.
Government Data Sources
Employment statistics, wage data, and workforce participation rates. Note: BLS doesn't track stay-at-home fathers or partners leaving work for childcare reasons.
Tax filings for nonprofit childcare organizations, revealing executive compensation, program spending, and financial transparency of childcare advocacy groups.
Legislative Data Sources
Official API for U.S. Congress bill data, voting records, and representative information. Provides real-time legislative tracking and historical voting data.
Free API providing congressional activity, voting records, and bill tracking. Excellent for recent legislative activity and representative voting patterns.
State-Level Data Sources
Official API for Washington State legislative data, including bills, voting records, and committee information. Essential for tracking state-level childcare policy.
Comprehensive API covering all 50 states' legislative data. Provides bill tracking, voting records, and legislative activity across the entire United States.
Childcare Cost Data
National Averages (Child Care Aware of America, 2024)
The national average annual cost for childcare is $13,128 for one child. Infant care in a center averages $16,000/year—more expensive than public college tuition in 38 states.
Many families spend over 20% of household income on childcare—nearly 3x the 7% affordability threshold set by HHS. The actual percentage varies by family income, location, and number of children. Sources: Child Care Aware 2024
Similar extreme costs exist in Boston, San Francisco, NYC, and other high-cost metros. Sources: PEPS 2024 survey, Axios Seattle 2025.
Sources: CAP Childcare Deserts, Buffett Institute
Source: Breaking Down Report (2023)
Data Methodology
We prioritize primary sources and peer-reviewed research. All data is linked to original sources when possible. When we analyze or interpret data, we clearly distinguish our analysis from the original findings.