Access to Child Care – A Critical Workforce Issue

Earlier this month, the Georgia Chamber Federation hosted a virtual conversation with Hanah Goldberg, Director of Research & Policy at GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students. Hanah shared new data showing the economic impact of childcare challenges in Georgia and the results are eye-opening.

Nearly 7 in 10 young children in Georgia have all parents in the workforce, yet access to affordable, quality child care remains limited. According to GEEARS, the average cost of infant care now exceeds in-state college tuition, creating barriers for working parents and reducing workforce participation. These challenges ripple across local businesses and communities, impacting productivity, retention, and long-term economic growth.

The Georgia Chamber is working alongside the U.S. Chamber Foundation on a grant initiative to help address these issues, but we need local chambers to be part of the conversation. As trusted conveners, chambers are uniquely positioned to engage employers, community leaders, and policymakers in finding solutions.

Here’s how your chamber can take action:

• Start conversations with your members about child care as a workforce issue.
• Share data from GEEARS to highlight the local economic impact.
• Identify opportunities to support childcare providers and strengthen partnerships.