We're often asked, “What does the average Nebraska family pay for child care?” As much as we’d like to give a single number, the truth is that the child care market is complex, and the amount families pay depends on several factors.
With the Committee for Economic Development, First Five Nebraska has developed a calculator that helps users understand child care costs in the state and what they mean for families. The calculator utilizes Nebraska county and state data and allows customization by users.
The calculator demonstrates that child care expenses place a significant, sometimes impossible financial burden on families, yet it's a necessity for the majority of Nebraska families with young children. Nebraska ranks fourth in the nation for the number of children under age 6 with all available parents in the labor force and second in the nation for children under age 6 living with a mother in the labor force. If we want to maintain the strong workforce Nebraska is known for, we must ensure that child care expenses do not exceed the benefits of being in the workforce. Read more Read more
