The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce came up with the estimate based on survey data and academic research. The Chamber supports recommendations made by officials earlier this year for how Kentucky can improve its child care landscape.
Jennifer Washburn, executive director of the iKids Childhood Enrichment Center, who has been running a child care center in Western Kentucky for more than two decades, said industry pay continues to be a barrier.
"You can make more as a dog walker," Washburn pointed out. "My direct competition is Walmart, where they cannot only pay more, but they can offer some benefits."
The report found if child care were reduced by $350 per month, between 12,000 and 20,000 workers could enter the workforce. If it were $500 less expensive each month, around 16,000 to 28,000 could join. Kentucky’s workforce participation is among the lowest in the nation.
Washburn noted many parents choose to exit the workforce because of inaccessible child care. She added some families put off having more children, delay big purchases and sacrifice health care needs because of child care issues.
"This is a journey, a long journey, not something that's fixed tomorrow," Washburn acknowledged. "But we have been talking and problem-solving, and now it's time to move into that action component."
Child care in Kentucky costs the average family between $5,000 and $13,000 each year. The Trump administration has proposed deep spending cuts to federal child care programs, including Head Start and the Child Care and Development Block Grant.