A child care desert is a geographic area where there is a significant shortage of affordable and quality child care options for families. In a child care desert, parents often have limited access to licensed child care providers, which can result in long waiting lists, high costs, and limited options for care. This can be a particular problem for low-income families or those living in rural areas, where child care providers may be scarce or non-existent.
Child care deserts can have a negative impact on families, as parents may have to make difficult choices between working and caring for their children, or may have to rely on informal or unlicensed child care options that may not meet safety or quality standards. They can also have long-term economic consequences for communities, as parents who cannot find affordable child care may be forced to leave the workforce, reducing economic productivity and hindering economic growth.
In Missouri, the count of Child Care Desert counties has declined in recent months. As of March 2024, 69 counties in the state are categorized as Child Care Deserts, a decrease from the 72 counties recorded in March 2023. However, despite the decrease in desert counties, there has been an overall decline in the number of child care programs and licensed capacity. This indicates that while some programs have expanded their capacity in previously designated desert counties, others have ceased operation.
| Category | March 2023 | March 2024 | Difference |
| # of Child Care Programs | 2,945 | 2,916 | (29) |
| Licensed Capacity | 167,783 | 167,598 | (185) |
| # of Designated Deserts | 72 | 69 | (3) |
| Additional Capacity Needed | 9,559 | 9,117 | (442) |
While there has been progress in reducing the number of child care desert counties and the additional licensed capacity needed, the decrease in both the number of child care programs and the licensed capacity indicates potential challenges in meeting the demand for child care services in certain areas. Parents continue to depend on childcare for job stability, and children need a safe environment that nurtures their growth while their parents are at work. Insufficient childcare options could pose challenges for Missouri's economy by hindering parental employment opportunities.
New and existing child care facilities need active assistance to become viable and sustainable. This assistance should be a priority of governmental, public, and private entities. Through collaborative efforts, we can ensure that all families in Missouri have access to affordable and high-quality child care.
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