Parent Poll Finds Louisiana Families Are Paying to Work as Child Care Costs Strain Budgets and Workforce
Annual survey shows most parents could not work without child care, while rising child costs are forcing families to sacrifice basic needs
Baton Rouge, LA – A new statewide survey of Louisiana parents with young children finds that child care is a prerequisite for most working families. Yet, rising costs and limited access to child care are forcing parents to miss work, reduce hours, and strain their household budgets according to findings from Paying to Work: The True Cost of Early Childhood Education for Louisiana Families, a report on child care in the state released today by the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children (LPIC), in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Education and Agenda for Children.
The survey, conducted from October 15–29, 2025, draws on responses from nearly 2,800 parents and caregivers of children under age 5 across the state. The findings are clear: without reliable child care, most parents cannot work.
More than seven in 10 parents reported they would be unable to work or attend school without consistent child care, a reality shared across family income levels. Parents relied on child care for an average of 38 hours per week, underscoring that care is not supplemental but foundational to workforce participation.
“Child care is the backbone of Louisiana’s economy,” said Libbie Sonnier, Ph.D., chief executive officer of LPIC. “This data confirms what families have been telling us for years: parents want to work, but they cannot do so without reliable and affordable child care. Right now, too many families are paying an unsustainable price just to stay employed.”
That price is substantial. Parents reported spending an average of $870 per child per month on child care, or more than $10,400 per year. For families with two children in care, average annual costs approach $21,000. The average costs were even higher for families paying for child care without any form of subsidy: parents paying for child care entirely out-of-pocket had average per child costs of $930 a month, or more than $11,000 per year. For a family with two children in child care, that translates to more than $22,000 per year. Nearly one-quarter of parents also said they were dissatisfied with the cost of care, making affordability the leading source of dissatisfaction among families.
The burdens of these costs are reshaping family finances. More than half of parents reported worrying about their ability to afford basic needs such as housing, food, and utilities, while a majority also said they worried specifically about paying for child care. In the past six months alone, many families reported struggling to pay for groceries, rent, utilities, and child care itself.
“These findings reinforce that child care affordability is not confined to low-income families. It is a cross-income challenge,” said Jen Roberts, chief executive officer of Agenda for Children. “When caregivers cannot secure reliable, affordable care, they scale back work, reduce spending, or leave jobs altogether. That affects family stability, business productivity, and Louisiana’s long-term economic strength.”
Work disruptions due to child care gaps were widespread. Nearly 70% of households reported that at least one parent missed work in the past three months because of a child care disruption. Many parents also stated they altered their work lives to compensate for a lack of care, including reducing their work hours, alternating schedules with another adult, working outside normal business hours, or using unpaid leave.
Despite the clear need, most families are navigating child care without public support. A majority of parents reported paying for care without any subsidy or employer assistance. While child care assistance programs are critical for families who receive them, thousands of eligible children across the state remain unserved, and many parents reported long waits before assistance became available.
“This report helps us understand how child care access directly affects parents’ ability to work and support their families,” said Barry Carter, Assistant Superintendent of Early Childhood Education at the Louisiana Department of Education. “These findings reinforce the importance of strengthening early childhood systems so families can access care that meets their needs and supports Louisiana’s workforce.”
The report highlights the need for continued investment in child care assistance, more realistic subsidy rates, and expanded options that align with the realities of today’s workforce. The complete report can be found here and the recording here. LPIC has conducted this survey since 2020, using the data to inform policymakers about the most pressing needs and challenges facing families with young children. The survey was made available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. For more information on LPIC, please visit PolicyInstituteLA.org.
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About Louisiana Policy Institute for Children
Louisiana Policy Institute for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that Louisiana's young children, from birth to age four, are best prepared for success in school and in life. The Policy Institute develops policy proposals informed by data, research, best practices, and the experiences of other states to improve the outcomes of Louisiana’s youngest citizens, and further provides educational and outreach activities based on recommended policy solutions. The organization works to ensure children are safe, healthy, and have the opportunity to reach their full potential. For more information, visit www.policyinstitutela.org and follow the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About Agenda for Children
Agenda for Children was founded to make Louisiana a state in which all children can thrive, by ensuring that the basic needs of children and families are met, that our children are nurtured and well taught, beginning in the early years and continuing through adolescence; that they are protected from harm; and by acting in ways that combat racism and other forms of oppression