With more parents working full time jobs, the demand for child care programs is extremely high; unfortunately, that demand heavily outweighs the current supply.  There simply aren't enough programs to accommodate the millions of children that require care. Considering simple laws of supply and demand, it's no surprise that the price of child care has become nearly unaffordable.  The average annual cost of child care programs is higher than the average tuition for public higher education. In many cases, this dynamic has made staying home a more affordable option than continuing to work while paying for child care.

On a positive note, this dilemma has stimulated the creation of new small businesses. The large number of in-home child care providers is one indicator that people are beginning to make adjustments. Non-traditional child care programs such as these have become an attractive option for many working parents. The majority of child care providers now operate through small businesses.

Federal and state governments are aware of and sensitive to the difficulties facing the child care industry. The Department of Health and Human Services established the Child Care Bureau to serve as an information resource for the child care community and to improve the quality of early care programs. Each state has a division of its government dedicated to child services. Operating under the Child Care Bureau, the National Child Care Information and Technical Assistance Center provides detailed state profiles and access to your state's lead child care agency.

To promote the development of new child care providers and enhance the quality of existing programs, grant and loan opportunities were established through many different government agencies and organizations. These funding programs provide assistance for everything from start-up to operational costs to general business improvements.  In an effort to raise awareness, and assist the business community in finding these opportunities, we have added a child care section to Business.gov's Loans and Grants Search tool. If you own a child care business or are considering starting one, utilize this tool to help find specific funding that may be available to you based on your location.  There is money available; you just have to go out and get it!

Visit the community's Loans and Grants Discussion Board to engage with other users about the child care industry and its available funding opportunities.