Data from KinderCare's Parent Confidence Index
reveals that Gen Z parents are more likely than older generations
to consider curbing their careers due to the lack of affordable,
accessible child care
LAKE
OSWEGO, Ore., July 10,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- New data from KinderCare
Learning Companies' fifth annual Parent Confidence
Index finds that child care accessibility and affordability
are critical to the future labor force, as Gen Z is the most likely
generation to put their careers on pause due to inability to secure
child care. The national study conducted in partnership with The
Harris Poll finds that for working Gen Z parents, child care
benefits are the top-ranked reason for staying at their current
job, followed by PTO and health insurance.
The next generation to enter the workforce faces uncertainty, as
data shows the rising cost of child care impacts how Gen Z parents
are approaching career and family planning. Amid the ongoing crisis
to find high-quality, affordable child care, 51% of Gen Z parents
said they're worried that they will have to step back from their
careers to prioritize parenting -- a higher proportion than the 43%
of Millennial and 35% of Gen X parents surveyed.
"It's clear that Gen Z is going to do things differently by
prioritizing their family over their career: something employers
must consider when attracting and retaining the next generation of
employees," stated Paul Thompson,
CEO of KinderCare. "Every family deserves access to high-quality
child care, whether that's in their community or at their
workplace. That's why we work with employers across the country to
provide employer-sponsored child care benefits, and why we advocate
with local lawmakers to support early childhood education."
Compared to older generations, Gen Z parents are considering
more career and lifestyle concessions like switching jobs, cutting
hours, and even choosing not to have more children due to the
rising cost and inaccessibility of child care. 67% of Gen Z parents
say they know someone (or themselves) who wishes they could be in
the workforce, but the cost of child care makes it too
difficult.
Key Findings from Gen Z Parents
- 66% said that piecing together enough child care coverage is a
significant source of stress for them, compared to 59% of
Millennials and 47% of Gen X.
- 64% ranked child care benefits in their top three reasons for
staying at their current job, compared to 52% of Millennial and Gen
X parents.
- 54% of Gen Z parents said the cost of child care is one of the
main reasons they have chosen not to have more children.
- 52% of parents said they don't feel like their family can
afford child care right now.
The full 2024 KinderCare Parent Confidence Index can also be
found here.
Methodology
The Parent Confidence Index was first
conducted in 2019. This year's survey was conducted online within
the United States by The Harris
Poll on behalf of KinderCare from November
3, 2023, to November 15, 2023,
among 2,004 parents with children aged 12 and younger representing
a national sample. Within the sample, 1,177 parents with children
ages 5 and under and 827 parents with children ages 6-12 were
surveyed.
About KinderCare Learning Companies™
A leading
provider early childhood and school-age education and care,
KinderCare builds confidence for life in children and families from
all backgrounds. KinderCare supports hardworking families in 40
states and the District of
Columbia with differentiated flexible child care solutions
to meet today's dynamic work environment:
- In neighborhoods, with KinderCare® Learning
Centers that offer early learning programs for children six
weeks to 12 years old and with Crème de la Crème
Schools®, which offers a premium early education
model using a variety of themed classrooms;
- At work, through KinderCare Learning Companies for
Employers™, providing customized family benefits for employers
across the country, including employer-supported child care
benefits, on-site and near-site early learning centers and back-up
care for last-minute child care, and
- In local schools, with Champions® before and
after-school programs.
KinderCare programs meet the highest standards, validated by
independent, third-party evaluation including:
Gallup, measuring workforce
engagement,
National Association for the Education of Young Children,
ensuring individual early learning center quality,
Cognia, accreditation for before- and after-school
programs
BRIGANCE® and
TerraNova® assessments of children's academic
progress and achievement, and
WELL Health-Safety Rating™, validating health and safety
practices in our facilities.
Headquartered in Lake Oswego,
Oregon, KinderCare operates more than 2,400 early learning
centers and sites. In 2024, KinderCare earned its eighth Gallup
Exceptional Workplace Award – one of only two current organizations
worldwide to achieve this milestone for eight consecutive years. To
learn more, visit KC-Learning.com.
Media Contact
Colleen Moran
KinderCare Learning Companies®
503-872-1300, option 3
media@kindercare.com
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SOURCE KinderCare Learning Companies