--- title: "Summary: Experts Shine a Light on Solutions to the Childcare Crisis" description: Child-care gaps cost the U.S. economy $172 billion annually, affecting workforce participation, productivity, and tax revenues. Learn about the economic impact and potential policy solutions. image: https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hubfs/Summary%20-%20Experts%20shine%20a%20light%20on%20solutions%20to%20the%20childcare%20crisis%20(6-11-2026)%20(1).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 [Community Data](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/community-data) # Summary: Experts Shine a Light on Solutions to the Childcare Crisis [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+%3ESummary%3A+Experts+Shine+a+Light+on+Solutions+to+the+Childcare+Crisis%3C%2Fspan%3E&body=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post%3A+https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/cd-summary-experts-shine-a-light-on-solutions-to-the-childcare-crisis) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/cd-summary-experts-shine-a-light-on-solutions-to-the-childcare-crisis) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/cd-summary-experts-shine-a-light-on-solutions-to-the-childcare-crisis) ![](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hubfs/Summary%20-%20Experts%20shine%20a%20light%20on%20solutions%20to%20the%20childcare%20crisis%20(6-11-2026)%20(1).png) Summary: Experts shine a light on solutions to the childcare crisis *By Krysten Crawford* *April 23, 2026* The article summarizes a Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR) policy forum examining solutions to the rising cost of childcare, now a central component of the broader affordability crisis. New Mexico was highlighted as the first U.S. state to offer free childcare for all children under age five, while San Francisco was noted as the first city to provide free childcare for working families. With federal action stalled, state and local governments are leading reform efforts. Speakers emphasized that successful childcare reform requires more than funding alone. New Mexico’s approach includes strong political will, coalition-building, the establishment of a cabinet-level early childhood department, and ongoing evaluation of outcomes, including enrollment, family stability, educator turnover, and child well-being. Leaders in California and San Francisco also stressed the importance of reducing administrative red tape, coordinating fragmented systems, securing sustainable funding, and improving wages for childcare workers. The forum framed childcare as essential economic infrastructure that supports families, children, workers, and broader workforce participation. SIEPR plans to release a new model to help governments estimate the impacts of specific childcare reforms, including effects on labor force participation and provider earnings. Overall, the article underscores growing momentum in childcare reform and highlights how emerging state and local efforts can offer practical lessons for expanding access while maintaining quality. Read the full article: [https://siepr.stanford.edu/news/child-care-affordability-crisis-siepr-shines-light-solutions](https://siepr.stanford.edu/news/child-care-affordability-crisis-siepr-shines-light-solutions) --- The data you need when you need it. 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