Economic Impact
& Childcare Analysis
Data-Driven Childcare Analysis for Communities, Employers, Economic Development Organizations, and Workforce Leaders
Childcare is no longer just a family issue. It is a workforce issue, an economic development issue, and a business competitiveness issue.
When families cannot access affordable, reliable childcare, employers struggle to fill positions, workforce participation declines, and regional economic growth slows. TPMA helps communities and organizations understand the true economic impact of childcare challenges through data-driven analysis, stakeholder engagement, and actionable planning.
Our studies quantify workforce impacts, identify childcare gaps, and provide practical recommendations that support both working families and economic growth.
Is Childcare Impacting Your Workforce?
Many communities and employers are facing challenges such as:
- Labor shortages and workforce participation declines
- Employee absenteeism caused by childcare disruptions
- Recruitment and retention challenges
- Insufficient childcare capacity
- Childcare deserts and geographic access gaps
- Rising childcare costs for working families
- Limited data to support childcare investments
- Difficulty securing funding for childcare initiatives
Without reliable childcare, many parents reduce work hours, delay returning to work, or leave the workforce entirely. These disruptions affect businesses, local economies, and long-term growth.
Childcare Is Workforce Infrastructure
Communities often focus on transportation, housing, and broadband when discussing workforce infrastructure. Childcare belongs in that conversation.
Access to childcare directly impacts:
- NLabor force participation
- NTalent attraction and retention
- NEconomic productivity
- NBusiness competitiveness
- NHousehold financial stability
- NRegional economic growth
TPMA helps communities move beyond anecdotal concerns and understand the measurable impact childcare access has on workforce and economic outcomes.
Our Childcare & Economic Impact Services
Childcare Supply & Demand Analysis
Identify gaps between available childcare capacity and community needs. Understand where shortages exist and what types of care are needed.
Economic Impact Modeling
Quantify the economic effects of childcare availability, workforce participation, earnings, tax revenue, and regional economic growth.
Workforce Participation Analysis
Measure how childcare challenges affect labor force participation, employee retention, absenteeism, and workforce pipelines.
Childcare Capacity Modeling
Evaluate current provider capacity, future demand, and opportunities for expansion.
Employer & Provider Engagement
Gather insights from employers, childcare providers, workforce organizations, and community stakeholders to develop practical solutions.
Policy & Investment Recommendations
Receive data-backed recommendations that support funding decisions, facility expansion, workforce initiatives, and long-term childcare strategies.
Who We Help
Economic Development Organizations
Understand how childcare impacts workforce growth, business attraction, and regional competitiveness.
Workforce Development Organizations
Develop strategies that strengthen workforce participation and talent pipelines.
Local & State Governments
Prioritize policies and investments that improve childcare access and economic outcomes.
Employers
Identify how childcare challenges affect recruitment, retention, absenteeism, and productivity.
Regional Planning Organizations
Use data-driven insights to support childcare planning and investment decisions.
Foundations & Community Organizations
Support community-wide childcare initiatives with research, analysis, and strategic planning.
Ready to Understand Childcare’s Impact on Your Community?
Whether you’re addressing workforce shortages, supporting employers, planning future investments, or seeking funding opportunities, TPMA can help you uncover the data and insights needed to make informed decisions.
Let’s Discuss Your Childcare Challenges and Opportunities.
Project Highlights
Building the Workforce of Tomorrow: Advancing Childcare Investment in Northwest Indiana
Orr Fellowship Economic Impact – Driving Indiana’s Talent Retention and Economic Growth
Overcoming Regional Childcare Challenges in Elizabethtown Kentucky
News & Insights
Why Childcare Is Economic Development
Communities have long invested in roads, utilities, broadband, and workforce development. It's time to recognize childcare as essential economic infrastructure. A qualified candidate turns down a job offer. Not because of salary. Not because of benefits. Not because of the commute. They simply can't find childcare that matches the hours…
Foundation for Rural Service and TPMA Release ‘Understanding Childcare Challenges in Rural America’
Recognizing that the lack of affordable and available childcare is a national economic challenge that impacts families, businesses and communities across the United States, the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), the philanthropic arm of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, and TPMA, a strategic consulting agency advancing workforce, economic, and community development,…
Regional Childcare Study in Progress for East-Central Kentucky
The Gateway Area Development District (GADD) announced today that it has partnered with TPMA, a national workforce and economic development consulting firm, to conduct a regional childcare impact study for the counties of Bath, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, and Rowan. “We are eager to get started on the study for our five-county…
Taskforce Hopes to Provide Childcare Solutions for Area Workers
It’s a decades-long, complex problem without an easy solution but regional leaders are attempting to help families have access to affordable child care in area communities. Following the completion of a Childcare Economic Impact Study, the Lincoln Trail Area Development District shared its results with local stakeholders to include…
Childcare, the Workforce, and the Economy: Connecting the Dots
We hear it often—the weight of expensive and inaccessible childcare on working families with young children. What we haven’t discussed enough is the overall impact this challenge has on the U.S. economy… until now. Without a doubt, affordable and available childcare is a critical component of a vibrant economy and…
See Childcare’s Economic Impact
Why Should Economic Developers Care about Childcare?
Smart Take with TPMA: Childcare by the Numbers
Understanding Childcare Challenges in Rural America
FAQs
Build a Stronger Workforce Through Childcare Solutions
Understand the economic impact of childcare challenges, identify workforce barriers, and develop actionable strategies that support employers, families, and long-term regional growth.