Charlotte’s childcare crunch is a significant challenge for entrepreneurs, affecting both those who use childcare services and those who provide them.

But First, What Do We Mean “Childcare Crunch”

Throughout the United States, childcare costs have created a major strain on families, their finances and their ability to participate in the workforce or own a business. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, families who pay for childcare face costs that are approximately half of their housing costs. In North Carolina, this means an average of $16,000 per year per child for childcare costs, slightly higher than the average tuition costs of 4 years of public university.

Okay, childcare is expensive… but how does that impact business owners? Great question. According to a 2024 survey of small business owners, “A significant number of these small business owners agree that a lack of access to affordable, high-quality childcare for their own children created an impediment for them to start their business (58%) and grow their business (59%).”

Here, we share some perspectives from local entrepreneurs to shed light on this pressing issue and its impact on their business.

Katie Marriott, Omada Search
“Our daycare for our two children is both a blessing and a curse. As a business owner, I would not be able to get my work done with my children in the home, so having a place they can go that I trust is amazing. They play outside, get lots of energy out, do fun art projects, learn about all different topics, and they love their classmates and teachers. I’m so thankful that it’s close to our home and we’ve built strong relationships with the staff. On the other hand, it’s extremely expensive. We pay $1000 more for our daycare bill than we do for our mortgage! Our school, like so many in Charlotte, has struggled with teacher turnover and I sincerely believe it’s because they are so underpaid. Add on the constant sickness they pick up from other kids and the general mom guilt from wanting to be with your babies, and it’s a tough topic to talk about.”

Katie Marriott highlights the dual-edged nature of relying on daycare. While it provides the necessary time to focus on her business, the high costs, teacher turnover, and health concerns add significant stress.

Veronda Bellamy, Bridging the Gap of America
“I have a 4-year-old who is starting pre-K. My goal daily is to be done with my work by 5:00 pm so my evenings are free for her. Sometimes, I can’t attend her extracurricular activities, but I’m grateful to have a very supportive and understanding husband who helps remedy some of my ‘mom guilt.’ It’s not an easy task juggling it all – as a modern wife and mom – at a particular age. I believe that my daughter is learning business acumen even now and how to carry herself as a strong yet gentle woman. It’s not easy, and it definitely requires proper planning and a whole bunch of grace for last-minute cancellations in business due to parental needs.”

Veronda Bellamy emphasizes the importance of a strong support system and meticulous planning to balance business and family life, teaching her daughter valuable life lessons in the process.

Holly Evans, Dreamstead Real Estate Professionals
“As an entrepreneur, the regular hours of childcare did not work for our family. We choose to go through Cultural Care to hire an au pair. We could not commit to a 9-5 PM schedule and found ourselves having to hire additional support on nights and weekends. It was an excellent experience as we had au pairs from Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico from December 2018 – February 2024. Having an additional adult in the house allowed us to feel comfortable leaving the home on Saturday and Sunday and also gave us flexibility to spend time together on days when work was less busy. It was beneficial to have 45 hours of work available based on our schedule. This did change the family dynamic and it was important to us that we created strong bonds and a more ‘family-like’ relationship. Now that the children are older, they participate in after-school activities like chess club or swimming. Since they are not old enough to be home alone, we enlist the support of middle or high school friends to support us on nights and weekends.”

Holly Evans offers an alternative childcare solution by utilizing au pairs, providing the flexibility needed for her irregular work schedule and enriching her family’s cultural experiences.

The Bigger Picture

Charlotte’s childcare crunch poses substantial challenges for entrepreneurs. For those running businesses, reliable childcare is essential to maintain productivity and peace of mind. However, high costs, frequent illnesses, and emotional challenges associated with daycare are significant hurdles. Entrepreneurs providing childcare services face their own set of challenges, such as teacher turnover and ensuring quality care.

The CLT Alliance Foundation recognizes these challenges and is committed to supporting entrepreneurs as they navigate these complexities. By fostering a community that shares experiences and solutions, we aim to alleviate some of the pressures faced by working parents in Charlotte.

To learn more about our mission, initiatives and how we help leaders navigate possibility, click here.