WashU and Upjohn Institute launch $2-year study on childcare costs
Researchers will interview parents nationwide to test how subsidies and workplace flexibility affect access to care.
By Nathaniel Hayes ·
Childcare in the United States remains a complex web of financial and logistical hurdles for many families. To map that terrain, the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research and Washington University in St. Louis have launched a two-year collaborative project.
The initiative is funded by a grant from Pivotal, a coalition of organizations established by Melinda French Gates to support social progress for women and young people. The research team aims to generate specific data on how parents navigate the market, moving beyond general assumptions about affordability.
Caitlyn Collins, an associate professor of sociology at WashU, co-leads the effort alongside Chloe Gibbs, a senior economist at the Upjohn Institute. Their methodology relies on in-depth interviews and national surveys rather than purely quantitative modeling. This approach is designed to capture the specific voices of families in policy discussions.
The study will examine how variables such as geography, income, and family structure create distinct barriers for different households. Researchers will track how these factors influence a parent’s ability to find care that fits their work schedule and financial limits.
The team is also evaluating the effectiveness of various policy interventions. They will assess how measures like workplace flexibility, childcare vouchers, and direct public provision of daycare slots enable parents to choose their preferred arrangements. The goal is to identify which tools actually improve the market for childcare.
