Childcare Costs Crush Families: Voters on Edge Ahead of Midterms

Childcare costs are skyrocketing, and parents are feeling the squeeze. Jenny Escolastico, a mother of two under five, faces a brutal choice: work and pay more for childcare than she would earn, or stay home and struggle financially.

Escolastico’s family in Pennsylvania relies solely on her husband’s income. She’s not working because the cost of childcare is equivalent to another rent payment. “Childcare is another rent, another car note,” she states, highlighting the financial burden that weighs heavily on her household.

Despite her son attending state-funded prekindergarten, Escolastico still needs after-school care for him and full-time childcare for her daughter. This financial strain is influencing her voting decision as she considers shifting from supporting President Donald Trump to backing Democrats in the upcoming election.

Living in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District, a battleground that could determine congressional control, Escolastico is not alone. Rising prices for gas, groceries, and housing have dominated midterm discussions, putting pressure on Trump and the Republican Party.

Childcare costs have surged faster than inflation from 2020 to 2024. The average cost for full-time childcare is projected to exceed $13,000 in 2025. A staggering three-quarters of U.S. adults view childcare expenses as a “major problem,” with 64% supporting federal initiatives for free or low-cost childcare for young children.

In the 7th District, both candidates are addressing childcare in their campaigns. As of September, around 16% of voters remain undecided, according to a Franklin and Marshall College poll.

Democratic nominee Bob Brooks, a retired firefighter, advocates for universal prekindergarten and increased funding for Head Start. He draws from personal experience caring for his granddaughters to emphasize the need for change. “The cost of caring for the people you love keeps climbing,” Brooks asserts.

Incumbent Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, a father of two toddlers, proposes tax breaks to alleviate costs rather than sweeping reforms. He co-sponsored a bill to expand federal tax credits for childcare expenses, which was integrated into Trump’s broader tax reform package.

Mackenzie claims he will collaborate across party lines to secure resources and support for working families. However, Trump’s previous promises to cut childcare costs using tariff revenue have yet to materialize. Recently, he expressed doubts about federal funding for childcare, stating, “We’re fighting wars. We can’t take care of daycare.”

The pandemic intensified the urgency surrounding childcare policy. Daycare closures and quarantines exposed the fragility of the childcare sector. The federal government allocated over $50 billion to support providers during this crisis.

In 2021, President Joe Biden proposed subsidies ensuring families wouldn’t pay more than 7% of their income on childcare, but this plan failed in Congress. Now, with pandemic aid expired, waitlists for assistance have surged, forcing many low-income families to choose between work and childcare.

Candidates are increasingly campaigning on childcare solutions. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani pledged free childcare for all residents. Democratic governors in New Jersey and Virginia campaigned on increasing childcare funding. In Washington, D.C., the Democratic mayoral nominee won the primary by proposing a cap on childcare expenses at 7% of household income.

Lerin Hagenbuch from Allentown questions why universal childcare hasn’t been implemented yet. She recalls the stress of finding affordable care while working as a special education teacher. Although her son is now in kindergarten, childcare costs remain a top concern as she contemplates her vote.

“There are staff shortages everywhere,” Hagenbuch notes. “If these moms or dads who are staying at home were able to even work part time, what a shift that would be.”

The Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy has invested $60 million this year to support Democrats advocating for increased government assistance in childcare and paid leave. They aim to sway voters from both parties who feel overwhelmed by rising care costs.

“This is something that every family is touched by,” says Phoebe Kilgour, deputy executive director of the campaign. “When you talk to people about what candidates will do to lower the cost of care, it can be super persuasive.”

Becky Fisher, a preschool teacher in Bethlehem earning less than $20 an hour, spends much of her paycheck on before- and after-school care for her sons at her workplace. Once a registered Republican who voted for President George W. Bush, she switched parties and supported then-Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.

This year, Fisher remains undecided but seeks a candidate who genuinely supports families and educators. Childcare and early education rank among the lowest-paid professions in America, with many workers being parents themselves.

“Every parent is exhausted,” Fisher states.