North Dakota
Working families in North Dakota need accessible, affordable, quality child care and early learning opportunities for their children.
Currently, federal and state early learning programs reach thousands of young children and their families in North Dakota. But too many working families in North Dakota are missing out. As a direct result of child care issues, the North Dakota economy loses millions of dollars each year in the form of lost earnings, productivity, and revenue.
There are 62K children ages 5 and under in North Dakota – 71% of these children have all available parents in the workforce.
The typical annual cost of child care for an infant in North Dakota is around $11,000.
The Child Care & Development Block Grant only reaches 10% of eligible families in North Dakota. (This federal program helps low-income parents afford child care.)
On average, child care providers in North Dakota earn just $29,210 a year; this can make it a challenge to recruit and retain this workforce, leading to supply issues.
North Dakota’s economy loses $354M annually due to child care challenges.
North Dakota: In The Headlines
Calls remain for more action on ND child care
Minot Daily News | December 9, 2024
Whether it’s not enough slots or rising monthly costs, many North Dakota parents have felt that child care is out of reach for them.
Study Finds That Child Care Prices Have Exceeded Rent in North Dakota
KNOX | mARCH 17, 2025
The cost of child care now exceeds the price of college tuition in 38 states and the District of Columbia, according to a new analysis conducted by the Economic Policy Institute.
What does child care cost in North Dakota?
Argus Leader | march 24, 2025
Child care is one of the biggest expenses families face – it’s also more costly than in-state tuition for a public college in 38 states, including North Dakota.
North Dakota Resources & News
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North Dakota — Federal Support for Early Learning & Care Opportunities
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