Marketplace’s senior economics contributor explains how an unreliable child care system doesn’t just hold back parents.

It’s been happening throughout the pandemic.

One result of the ongoing staff shortage is that parents may have trouble finding daycare slots for their kids.

Low pay is still an obstacle to bringing people into the field, where employment is 10% lower than before the pandemic.

The pandemic has shown that child care in the U.S. isn’t working. Most early childhood caregivers and teachers don’t earn a living wage.

Kelli LaFont and Lauren Pyle both know they, not their husbands, will stay home if their children are exposed to COVID-19.

Econ Extra Credit newsletter #73

Early childhood reporter for KPCC and LAist, Mariana Dale, explains why many child care providers are financially overextended.

Econ Extra Credit newsletter #72

The training enables them to help fill the child care gap as entrepreneurs, supporting Houston moms who want to enter or rejoin the workforce.