By Danita V. Knight, President & CEO, YWCA Greater Atlanta
When we talk about infrastructure in Atlanta, we usually think about roads, transit, and utilities — the systems that keep our economy moving. Rarely do we talk about childcare. But the reality is this: childcare is foundational economic infrastructure — and without it, Atlanta’s workforce, families, and long-term economic growth are at risk.
Childcare is not a “women’s issue.” It is a workforce issue, a business issue, and a competitiveness issue for our region. Without access to affordable, high-quality childcare and early learning, women’s participation in the workforce declines, businesses struggle to retain talent, and economic growth stalls. The effects ripple across households, workplaces, and communities.
The financial burden facing families is stark. Across Georgia, the typical annual cost of infant childcare is about $11,000, and many families pay significantly more. In urban areas like Atlanta, full-time care can exceed $2,000 per month, rivaling — and in some cases surpassing — the cost of housing. For families with more than one young child, the financial strain becomes untenable.
Nationally, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines childcare as “affordable” if it consumes no more than 7% of a household’s income. Yet many Georgia families pay far beyond that threshold, forcing impossible choices between work, caregiving, and basic financial stability.
The consequences extend well beyond individual households.
When families cannot access affordable childcare, women are often the first to scale back hours, decline promotions, or leave the workforce altogether. Employers absorb the cost of absenteeism, higher turnover, and loss of experienced workers. Leadership pipelines shrink and productivity suffers. At the macro level, childcare shortages translate into billions of dollars in lost economic output across Georgia due to missed work, stalled careers, and unrealized potential. Over time, this limits our region’s collective potential.
The impact is also deeply unequal. Black women and other women of color, along with low-income and rural families, are more likely to live in childcare deserts and to spend a disproportionate share of income on care. Without systemic solutions, access to opportunity becomes dependent on ZIP code rather than talent or ambition — reinforcing inequities that hold families and the broader economy back.
In other words, when childcare fails, the economy falters.
At YWCA Greater Atlanta, we witness this reality daily through our Early Learning Academy and our broader work supporting women and families. Access to safe, high-quality early learning does more than build the cognitive, social, and emotional foundations children need for school — it stabilizes households, enables workforce participation, and strengthens entire communities. For parents, that stability means peace of mind, consistent employment, and the ability to fully engage in their work.
Early learning is not merely a social service. It is an economic engine. Atlanta prides itself on being a city of opportunity, innovation, and growth. But opportunity cannot exist without systems that allow families to participate fully in the economy. If we want a resilient workforce and a thriving business environment, we must treat childcare with the same seriousness we give to transportation, housing, and workforce development.
That requires a shift in how we think about early learning. Childcare can no longer be treated as a private workaround for families to solve alone. It demands coordinated investment across public, private, and philanthropic sectors, and a shared understanding that childcare and early learning are not optional benefits for a few, but necessities for all. As Georgia’s 2026 legislative session begins and conversations about budgets, workforce readiness, and economic competitiveness take center stage, it’s worth examining the role childcare plays in sustaining families and fueling economic growth. The future of Atlanta’s economy depends on whether we make that shift, and the stakes are high.
When we invest in childcare, we are investing in workforce stability, economic resilience, and long-term prosperity. The question is not whether we can afford to act, but whether Atlanta can afford the long-term costs of inaction.
This is sponsored content.
