Inadequate access to child care costs Nebraska $745 million a year, study finds

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Bureau of Business Research has released a study on the economic impact of inadequate access to child care in Nebraska.

Each year, nearly $745 million is left on the table for parents, businesses and state coffers, but the economic impact is even broader, according to the study.

It found that absenteeism, decreased productivity, forgoing promotions, working only part time, turnover and job loss are all effects of inadequate child care options.

Those factors are compounded by families having lower incomes, which means they spend less at businesses, so businesses have less money to pay employees, the study found.

These factors then compound and prevent businesses from working together productively.

This study was conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic, which has further complicated accessing quality child care.

You can read the two-page summary of the study here.