New Survey Shows Nebraskans Want Child Care Crisis Fixed

New Survey Shows Nebraskans Want Child Care Crisis Fixed
We Care For Kids.
March 22nd, 2023 | Nebraska Extension and We Care for Kids


More than 80% of Nebraska Voters Say that Lack of Child Care is a Problem that Will Not Solve Itself

March 21, 2023 – Statewide survey results released today show that Nebraska voters are
experiencing a child care and early learning crisis that is hurting families, employers, and
Nebraska’s reputation as a great place to live, work, and raise a family. The public opinion
survey of registered voters was released today by Nebraska Extension at the University of
Nebraska-Lincoln and We Care for Kids/Por todos los niños, a diverse coalition of nearly 50 state
and community based organizations.


More than 80% of respondents said the lack of child care in Nebraska is a problem that will not
solve itself, want Nebraskans to come together to solve the problem, and believe Nebraska
should support child care and early learning like it does K-12 schools and higher education.
Nearly three-quarters (74%) of respondents see the child care crisis as a serious problem facing
the state, on par with crime and the cost of housing.

“Families across Nebraska are at a crisis point in finding quality, affordable child care—and that
is hurting everyone,” said Kathleen Lodl, Associate Dean and Professor at Nebraska Extension.
“We have a responsibility to our children, our families, and our communities to come together as
a state to identify effective solutions to address this crisis. This is also an opportunity to draw upon
the many creative solutions that communities throughout Nebraska are using to meet the needs
of families, communities, and businesses. It will take all of us.”

Nebraskans support fixing the child care and early learning crisis regardless of their age,
geographical location, or political affiliation, with 88% of respondents saying they support the state investing in ensuring more working families have access to quality, affordable early care
and learning. In addition, 84% say that low wages for child care workers, early childhood
teachers, and preschool teachers are a serious part of the problem.


“Access to quality child care affects all of us, whether you’re an employee, an employer, or a
community member,” says Jodi Graves, Executive Director, United Way of South Central
Nebraska in Hastings and supporter of We Care for Kids. “Without quality, affordable child care,
a community truly can’t thrive. Our hospitals and our schools rely on those employees that have
to send their kids to child care. And if you’re missing that piece, then the whole rest of the system
crumbles.”

Impact on Economy

Nebraskans see a clear connection between access to child care, helping workers provide for
their families, and keeping businesses strong. Ninety percent of those surveyed say access to
quality, affordable child care will strengthen Nebraska’s economy. As the state struggles with an
aging population and young families leaving, 92% believe quality, affordable child care and
early learning is an important part of keeping Nebraska a great place to live and raise a family.

The survey reveals, however, that at a time when the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports that
Nebraska has a severe labor shortage, parents are leaving the workforce or turning down job
opportunities because they can’t find affordable child care. Thirty-one percent of parents with
children age 5 and under said that they left the workforce because they couldn’t find
affordable child care; and 34% said they refused a job opportunity, promotion, or change
because it would increase child care expenses. In addition, a majority of those surveyed have
either experienced or know someone who has experienced leaving the workforce, turning down
job opportunities, or struggling financially.

“We pride ourselves on Nebraska being a great place to live, work, and raise a family,” said
Kara Ficke, Campaign Manager for We Care for Kids. “With parents leaving the workforce and
families struggling financially due to child care challenges, we must act now to address this crisis.
Child care and early learning programs support working families on the job, allow businesses to
recruit and retain talent, and help Nebraska’s future workforce develop skills for long-term
success in school and life.”

Highlights from the survey findings were previewed during a virtual and telephone town hall
today where business and human resources leaders discussed the need for Nebraska to prioritize
quality, affordable child care and early learning.

Nebraska Extension and We Care for Kids will host a webinar with the research firm, New Bridge
Strategy, on Wednesday, March 22 at 12:00-1:00 p.m. CT to present the full survey findings. The
webinar is open to the public and all those who are interested can register to join the briefing
here. More information about the survey and tools to share the findings are online at
NebraskaCaresForKids.org.

The survey of 500 registered Nebraska voters was conducted February 1-7, 2023, by New Bridge
Strategy. Interviews were conducted via telephone (both cell phones and landlines) and online.
Interviews were distributed proportionally throughout the state. Quotas were set for key
demographic sub-groups, such as gender and age. The margin of error is +4.38% for the overall
sample. The margin of error will vary for sub-groups.

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