IOWA — For years state leaders and people who work in early childhood education have said Iowa has a childcare crisis. It affects everyone, even people who don’t have children because it has a massive impact on the economy. If people can’t find childcare, they can’t work. If they can’t work, businesses can’t function.

“I know our childcare bill is higher than our mortgage,” says Morgan Eiben, whose daughter Marleigh was seriously injured after being repeatedly bit by a fellow student at her daycare. “The cost is outrageous, even at places offering poor care!”

The Eibens aren’t alone. Most Iowans are paying more for childcare than they are for housing, transportation, student loans and food. 

According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, 14% of Iowans were forced to quit, change or turn down a job because of childcare issues. More than half reported being late or having to leave early because of it. Twenty percent report being fired because of ongoing childcare struggles.

Deann Cook and her team at the Iowa Women’s Foundation work to empower girls and women. They’ve identified six barriers to economic self-sufficiency, and childcare tops the list.

“If you don’t have childcare, you can’t work, you can’t learn, you can’t earn,” says Cook. “It is the barrier for getting women out into the workforce or into school or training.”