The chart above shows how the U.S. has compared to other countries in the world in caring for its children. Prior to the impacts of COVID-19, Minnesota was short nearly 80,000 childcare spaces. The need for more childcare in rural MN is acute and falling. Provider capacity has declined dramatically between 2006 and 2015.
Historically, spending per Child: the U.S. allocates about $500 per child for early childhood care, significantly less than countries like Norway, which spends around $30,000, and Finland at approximately $23,000. Many OECD nations spend over 1.2 % of GDP on early childhood programs. The U.S. about 3.5%.
Peter Hutchinson’s 2001 Star Tribune article explains how a MN budget surplus
could have fully funded plans for making children healthier,
better educated and (ALL OF US) safer and happier.
This year’s 1.3 Billion dollar budget could go a long way
towards improving the lives of our youngest citizens
Spending on early childhood programs has dropped
from 70M in 2017 to 53M last year.
You and I and our legislators can help solve this problem. It is the only way it will be solved.
WHEN YOU Share KARA’s reporting with FRIENDS, INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK and most of all, your State Representative (find them here) change will come. When enough of us become informed and speak up for abused and neglected children, we will improve their lives and our communities!
Please support KARA’s work with a small monthly donation:
Prior KARA daycare articles:
Exceptionally Undertrained and Underpaid
- The U.S. ranks poorly in enrollment rates for early childhood education. Only about 28% of children aged 0-2 are enrolled in formal childcare settings, placing the U.S. near the bottom among OECD nations. In contrast, many European countries have much higher enrollment rates due to their substantial public investments.
Cost Burden on Families
- Childcare costs in the U.S. are among the highest globally, with families spending about 32% of their disposable income on childcare for two children, making it a significant financial burden compared to other OECD countries where costs are often subsidized or capped
https://www.forbes.com/sites/katharinabuchholz/2024/09/10/us-childcare-cost-higher-than-in-other-developed-countries/
https://www.wral.com/story/fact-check-how-much-does-u-s-spend-on-early-education-compared-to-other-nations/20054849/
https://www.oecd.org/els/soc/PF3_1_Public_spending_on_childcare_and_early_education.pdf
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