S.C. Healthcare Costs A Struggle for Many

Amalia Luxardo/S.C. Daily Gazette

Affordable child care is essential for South Carolina families and our economy, yet we are facing a major crisis.

Many families struggle to find and afford care for their children, and this is hurting both parents and businesses.

The latest statistics show South Carolina’s labor force participation rate at only 57.1% — much lower than the national rate of 62.4%. One big reason for this is the lack of child care.

The impact of this crisis is huge.

For children under age 3, it costs our state an estimated $1.4 billion each year by lowering parent earnings, reducing business productivity, and cutting into state tax revenues, according to a November 2023 report from Council for a Strong America.

Worse yet, 42% of South Carolinians lived in child care “deserts” — places where there are very few options for care — even before the pandemic, 2018 data shows. Availability is likely worse today.

The cost is another major challenge.

On average, infant care in a center costs $11,512 per year, which is nearly 14% of a median family’s income in South Carolina, according to a report released last week by the Economic Policy Institute.

This makes it nearly impossible for many families to find good care that fits their budget.

Another problem is the quality of care. Many child care centers have high turnover rates because workers are paid so little. When teachers leave, young children lose important relationships, which can hurt their learning and development.

Without stable and experienced caregivers, kids may miss out on key early learning opportunities.

Child care is not just a convenience — it is a necessity.

It allows parents to work and provide for their families. It helps children develop strong brains and prepares them for school. It also helps businesses by improving employee productivity and keeping workers on the job.

To fix this, we need policies that make child care a priority. This means investing in affordable child care, supporting early childhood educators, and creating family-friendly workplace policies.

These changes are not just about making life easier for parents. They are about fairness and opportunity for all families in South Carolina.

We have a chance to come together as a community to solve this problem. Local businesses, policymakers, and residents must work together to find creative solutions that make child care accessible to everyone.

By investing in child care, we are investing in the future of our workforce and the well-being of our families.

I urge you to join this important conversation. Let’s speak up to ensure every family in South Carolina has access to the quality childcare they need.

Together, we can build a better future for our children, our families, and our community.

Amalia Luxardo, who holds a doctorate degree in conflict analysis and resolution, is the CEO of the Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN), a gender justice advocacy organization dedicated to advancing the human rights and economic well-being of women and girls throughout South Carolina.