The number of childcare centers has returned to pre-pandemic numbers, but the number of FCC homes has decreased since 2022. The national average price of childcare in 2023 was $11,582. This is equivalent to 10% of a married couple with children’s median household income and 32% of a single parent with children’s median household income, despite the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services setting 7% of annual income as the benchmark for affordable child care. The average American family is forced to spend a significant portion of their income on child care, or forgo income and stop working to provide child care.