Becker’s Hospital Review recently compared the cost of infant child care in relation to in-state tuition at a public college.  The report by Molly Gamble was based on data from the Economic Policy Institute.  Infant care exceeded college tuition in 34 states ranging from a level of fourfold in Washington D.C. to only half the cost in South Carolina. The mean proportion in cost for the sampled states was193 percent.  Infant care can range from 15 to 29 percent of household income with the burden falling heaviest on single mothers who either earn a suitable salary or wage rate to obtain child care or alternatively mothers will be dependent on public assistance.

It is evident that industries, including food processing through retail, that employ a high proportion of women of child-bearing age must provide some form of child care assistance as a wage supplement. Companies offering low wage rates will continue to experience difficulty in recruiting and retaining workers.

With respect to plants that employ a large number of workers in a single location, on-site child care facilities could provide benefits to both employer and employee and contribute to higher levels of worker satisfaction and retention.