In an interview with the Tennessee Firefly, White said that too many parents across the state lack access to childcare, either because of a scarcity of available slots or cost.
“We have a critical shortage across the state of childcare agencies, where if a second parent wants to go back to work, childcare is not available in a lot of places, and where it is, it’s even expensive,” said White.
Childcare Versus Rent
A report released last week from Lending Tree further illustrates White’s point. According to the report, the average monthly childcare cost in Nashville for two children is $2,103, nearly $400 more than the average two-bedroom rent. In Memphis, childcare for two children costs $700 more than the average two-bedroom rent.
White plans to propose legislation next year to help reduce staffing shortages that are contributing to higher childcare costs by creating a pathway for literacy instructors to work in childcare…