One day, working parents all over America were just on their daily routine, dropping off their young children at their daycare centers before going to work when a pandemic soon shuttered almost all businesses, offices, and daycare centers–to the detriment of working parents.

While some were fortunate enough to have a work-from-home arrangement, parents soon quickly realized that working from home and parenting are two jobs that’s just hard to combine.

Like Water & Oil: Working from Home & Parenting

Soon enough, the internet was filled with memes and viral videos documenting how hard it was for working parents to juggle work responsibilities amidst a full household of toddlers asking for attention and babies crying for cuddles. 

It has even led to kids mimicking their parents, showing just how hectic it is for a parent to juggle both work and childcare at the same time. While the mimicry is on point and relatable to most working moms, the lack of childcare is no laughing matter. 

The Billed Changes: Biden’s Build Back Better Act

It’s been decades since child care organizations have been clamoring for a change in legislation and additional funding to save the dying child care industry and replenish the child care deserts of America. Little did they know that the pandemic would show just how dire the circumstances really are and how invaluable the childcare industry is in supporting the businesses that make up the American economy.

Recently, the Biden administration has approved legislation that would support the childcare industry from both the supply and demand side. 

For Childcare Providers

From the supply side, childcare providers will get access to much needed grants that will allow them to raise wages, expand their service, upgrade their curriculum and facilities, and provide more support and benefits for their staff.

Childcare workers were promised a $15 livable wage increase that will prevent disheartened and demoralized skilled workers from leaving the industry.

These grants are supplemented by stabilization grants created under the American Rescue Plan which states are slowly starting to roll out.

Read more: Build Back Better Bill: Childcare Industry Highlights

For Families

Families’ childcare woes are about to end. It started with the childcare tax credit that was introduced early this year. Starting from a $300 up to $2000 in monthly tax credits per child, parents received financial relief as they try to find childcare.

The tax credit helped offset expensive childcare fees which the Build Back Better act aims to pare down to at most 7% of any family’s income.

The measure also aims to eradicate the prevalence of childcare deserts wherein almost half of American families live.

Unless you’re in childcare-rich states such as Maine, Iowa, Delaware, North Dakota or Minnesota, chances are you’ll only find yourself in month-, if not year-long, waiting lists when inquiring for childcare services around your area.

But the Build Back Better aims to solve that by providing parents with a universal preschool for 3-4 year olds and startup grants to entice more entrepreneurs into the childcare industry.

Ending Labor Shortages Across Industries: Providing Reliable Childcare Options

As parents have no choice but to forgo being part of the workforce in order to care for their child, more and more businesses are finding childcare option as a mandatory benefit in order to end their labor shortages.

As the pandemic is slowly curbed, vaccines are given to the general population including children, the lack of childcare options is the main obstacle all stakeholders must tackle from all sides if they were to bounce back and resume growth similar to pre-pandemic levels.