Child Care Crisis in Texas: Centers Close as Costs Rise, Leaving Families Struggling

Many Texas child care centers are closing because they can’t afford to stay open, officials say. Federal COVID-19 relief money that helped these programs pay bills ended in September 2023. Since then, rising costs for rent, food, and staff pay have pushed centers to shut down. Over 2,000 child care programs in Texas have closed since 2020, and more are expected.

Even when centers try to stay open, many families still can’t afford care. A recent report by a nonprofit (via TPR) found that “affordable” options are still too expensive or hard to find for most Texas families. Long waitlists, high fees, and strict rules block parents from getting help. For example, some parents earn too much to qualify for aid but not enough to pay full prices.

This crisis hits working parents—especially mothers—hard. Without child care, many must cut work hours or quit jobs entirely, hurting families and the economy. Lawmakers and advocates warn that Texas needs more funding to save child care programs and help families. While state programs like the Texas Workforce Commission’s “Child Care Services” assist some parents, experts say support is nowhere near enough.

Officials and nonprofits urge leaders to act fast. Fixing the child care system, they say, is key to keeping parents employed and businesses running. Without solutions, Texas risks deeper economic harm and more strain on families.