Childcare is infrastructure. Texas must invest in it

Texas leads the nation with 57 Fortune 500 headquarters generating combined revenue of $2.8 trillion, according to the recent 2026 Fortune 500 list. However, across the state and here in Dallas County, working parents face ongoing challenges accessing quality, affordable childcare.  

A new Texas Women’s Foundation study makes clear what families and employers have long experienced: Childcare is a growing economic crisis. More than 43,000 mothers with young children in Dallas County remain out of the workforce, forfeiting an estimated $1.6 billion in earnings annually and resulting in more than $3 billion in forgone regional economic activity, because families cannot access reliable, affordable care.

As nonprofit leaders working closely with families, employers and providers, we see this reality every day. Large portions of Dallas County remain childcare deserts where demand far exceeds supply. Statewide, more than 111,000 young children lack access to care within a reasonable distance, and in more than half of Texas counties, there are at least three times as many children as available licensed slots.

At the same time, the cost of care has become unsustainable. Infant care in Texas averages more than $11,000 per year, more than in-state college tuition, and can exceed $20,000 annually for families with two young children, often surpassing the cost of housing itself. 

For many families, this is simply out of reach. A minimum wage worker would need to work most of the year just to afford care for one infant.

This is not just a family issue. It is a workforce issue. When childcare is inaccessible or unaffordable, parents cannot consistently participate in the workforce. Employers face higher turnover, absenteeism and difficulty filling open roles. Over time, these disruptions accumulate into significant economic losses not just for families, but companies. 

In Dallas County alone, the long-term impact of an unstable childcare system is projected between $562 million and $859 million over the next decade.

If North Texas is going to remain an economic engine that attracts more Fortune 500 companies in the future, we must ensure working parents can show up reliably, productively and with peace of mind that their children are safe and supported.

It’s important to be clear about how we got here. Childcare providers operate in a highly regulated environment on extremely thin margins. Rising costs for wages, food and supplies continue to push tuition higher, while public support has not kept pace with demand. Despite a recent $100 million state investment, there are now nearly 100,000 children statewide on a wait list for childcare assistance.

Just as we invest in roads, utilities and broadband to support economic growth, we must also support the care systems that enable people to work. When childcare becomes more affordable, workforce participation increases, household earnings stabilize and the economy grows.

This is about finding practical, not partisan, solutions. Employers are already stepping up with innovative approaches, from on-site childcare to flexible subsidies tailored to workforce needs. These efforts are not just good for employees, they are good for business, improving retention and productivity.

Local communities can play a role as well. Here in Dallas County, leaders can offer voters the chance to follow successful initiatives across the country that have significantly reduced wait lists, expanded supply and ensured more families can participate fully in the workforce.

And at the state level, simplifying and aligning funding systems with workforce needs could make existing resources go further.

There is no single solution, but there is a clear path forward: sustained, coordinated investments that reflect the essential role of childcare in our economy.

When we strengthen childcare, we are not only supporting families today; we are building the workforce of tomorrow.

Tori Mannes is president and CEO of ChildCareGroup. Karen Hughes White is president and CEO of Texas Women’s Foundation. Susan Hoff is chief strategy, impact and operations manager of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas.

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