I live in a small town, a rural area where every parent I know struggles with the availability, quality, and affordability of child care. Our local library has hosted discussions on the topic and has even provided free classes to learn how to become a licensed child care provider. Most in-home daycares are continuously full and you pretty much have to know someone who knows someone to get into one. The daycare centers all have a long waitlist, are crowded, and only a couple have decent reputations. When COVID hit, my daycare had to reduce capacity and my child was never accepted back. I was lucky to have a family member available for a year so I could work. A brand new Montessori daycare opened up just in time for me to get a spot and it quickly filled up. They are building a second center because the need is so high. It's a great place, but because it's privately owned, it's very expensive and I have to provide my own meals for my child. To add, child care positions available in our area usually pay minimum wage. It's just not sustainable for parents or providers.