--- title: Offering Child Care Benefits = A Smart Business Move description: Discover how Child Care Works in Missouri can help child care programs provide sustainable benefits for staff, improving recruitment and retention without financial strain. image: https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hubfs/CWR%20Emergency%20and%20CCKMW%20%20(12).png --- [![Child Care Aware of Missouri Logo](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Child%20Care%20Aware%20Logo%20(1).png?width=666&height=414&name=Child%20Care%20Aware%20Logo%20(1).png "Child Care Aware of Missouri Logo")](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication) Open main menu Close main menu [Child Care Keeps Missouri Working℠](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/child-care-keeps-missouri-working) # Offering Child Care Benefits = A Smart Business Move [Child Care Aware® of Missouri](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/author/child-care-aware-of-missouri) [Share this blog post via Email](mailto:?subject=%3Cspan+id%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper_name%22+class%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper+hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field+hs_cos_wrapper_type_text%22+style%3D%22%22+data-hs-cos-general-type%3D%22meta_field%22+data-hs-cos-type%3D%22text%22+%3EOffering+Child+Care+Benefits+%3D+A+Smart+Business+Move%3C%2Fspan%3E&body=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post%3A+https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/cckmw-offering-child-care-benefits-a-smart-business-move) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/cckmw-offering-child-care-benefits-a-smart-business-move) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/cckmw-offering-child-care-benefits-a-smart-business-move) ![](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hubfs/CWR%20Emergency%20and%20CCKMW%20%20(12).png) Businesses across Missouri are facing increasing workforce challenges, and one of the leading causes is lack of access to affordable child care. Employees are missing work, reducing hours, turning down promotions, or leaving the workforce entirely because they cannot find or afford reliable care for their children. In fact, an estimated **1.4 billion work hours are lost annually** in the United States due to child care challenges and inadequate access to care. For employers, the impact is clear: higher turnover, recruitment challenges, increased absenteeism, and reduced productivity. Nationally, **businesses lose approximately $38 billion annually** due to workforce disruptions tied to child care issues. As a result, more Missouri employers are turning to child care benefits as a strategic workforce solution. Through Child Care Works (CCW), Missouri is implementing an innovative shared-cost child care model that helps employers support working families while maintaining manageable and predictable costs. This approach makes child care more affordable for employees through a partnership model that may include employer contributions, employee contributions, and additional funding support. **Participating employers benefit from:** • Improved employee recruitment and retention • Reduced absenteeism and turnover • Increased workforce stability • A competitive hiring advantage • A meaningful family-friendly workplace benefit **Research shows employers offering child care benefits report:** • 81% improvement in recruitment • 80% improvement in retention • 82% improvement in productivity Unlike traditional benefits that may be underutilized, child care assistance directly impacts an employee’s ability to consistently show up and perform at work. Child Care Works is currently expanding across Missouri with support from community partners, employers, and Child Care Aware® of Missouri. The program is designed to be flexible and scalable for businesses of all sizes and industries. In addition to supporting employees, participating businesses may also qualify for valuable tax incentives related to child care investments. As Missouri employers continue to seek innovative workforce solutions, child care benefits are quickly moving from a “nice to have” to a business necessity. Employers interested in learning more about Child Care Works or scheduling a conversation can contact [ccw@mochildcareaware.org](mailto:ccw@mochildcareaware.org) Learn more about the Child Care Works initiative here: [https://childcareworksmo.org/](https://childcareworksmo.org/) ---   Explore our other Child Care Aware® of Missouri resources: [Clock Hour Training](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/free-clock-hour-training) [Scholarships for Educators](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/scholarships-for-educators) [Child Care Health and Wellness](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/child-care-nutrition-and-physical-activity) [Family Child Care Network](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/family-child-care-network) [Leadership Development Opportunities](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/leadership-development-opportunities) [Missouri Office of Childhood Updates](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/missouri-office-of-childhood-updates) [Show Me Child Care Resources](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/show-me-child-care-resources) [Support Child Care Aware® of Missouri](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/support-child-care-aware) [Community Data](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/community-data) [Join Our Team](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/join-our-team) [Resources to Build Your Business ](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/resources-to-build-your-business)     #### About - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three #### Services - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three #### News - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three Follow us on Facebook Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram