Child care in Pennsylvania is expensive. Just one child in day care costs about 40% of the median household income of single-parent households in the commonwealth.
When affordability is on everyone’s mind, we can’t overlook the opportunity to reduce one of the largest expenses for young families.
Day care is expensive because it is a people-intensive business that requires significant staffing. But that doesn’t explain why care for an infant is on average $1,130 less in neighboring Ohio. The difference is Pennsylvania’s extensive red tape and lack of freedom for day care centers.
According to the Archbridge Institute’s 2026 State Childcare Regulations Index, Pennsylvania ranks 48th for child care freedom. Child care freedom refers to the flexibility of providers to meet the unique needs of the families they serve in a highly regulated industry.
Only New York and Vermont have more day care red tape, driving up costs for families.
Every aspect of running a day care is highly regulated — from the food it serves and the size of the outdoor playground to its communication with parents and the requirements needed to work in one.
Continue reading at TRIBLIVE.
Edward Timmons, PhD, is Vice President of Policy at the Archbridge Institute. He leads the institute's economic policy strategy, identifying focus areas and disseminating work to key stakeholders and policymakers. His own research focuses on labor economics and regulatory policy; he is regularly asked to provide expert testimony to U.S. states on occupational licensing reform and the practice authority of nurse practitioners. Dr. Timmons received his Ph.D. in economics from Lehigh University and his B.A. in economics and actuarial science from Lebanon Valley College. He publishes a weekly newsletter on Substack with the latest research and policy insights surrounding occupational licensing.
Economics of Flourishing
Child care in Pennsylvania is expensive. Just one child in day care costs about 40% of the median household income of single-parent households in the commonwealth.
When affordability is on everyone’s mind, we can’t overlook the opportunity to reduce one of the largest expenses for young families.
Day care is expensive because it is a people-intensive business that requires significant staffing. But that doesn’t explain why care for an infant is on average $1,130 less in neighboring Ohio. The difference is Pennsylvania’s extensive red tape and lack of freedom for day care centers.
According to the Archbridge Institute’s 2026 State Childcare Regulations Index, Pennsylvania ranks 48th for child care freedom. Child care freedom refers to the flexibility of providers to meet the unique needs of the families they serve in a highly regulated industry.
Only New York and Vermont have more day care red tape, driving up costs for families.
Every aspect of running a day care is highly regulated — from the food it serves and the size of the outdoor playground to its communication with parents and the requirements needed to work in one.
Continue reading at TRIBLIVE.
Edward Timmons
Edward Timmons, PhD, is Vice President of Policy at the Archbridge Institute. He leads the institute's economic policy strategy, identifying focus areas and disseminating work to key stakeholders and policymakers. His own research focuses on labor economics and regulatory policy; he is regularly asked to provide expert testimony to U.S. states on occupational licensing reform and the practice authority of nurse practitioners. Dr. Timmons received his Ph.D. in economics from Lehigh University and his B.A. in economics and actuarial science from Lebanon Valley College. He publishes a weekly newsletter on Substack with the latest research and policy insights surrounding occupational licensing.
Share:
Related Posts
From sandwich shops to Silicon Valley, noncompetes are holding back US workers
Vermont Wants To Fix Child Care. This Bill Will Make It Worse.
With AI on the Rise, Workers Need More Flexibility and Less Licensing