Childcare is not optional infrastructure

Childcare is not a side issue. It is not a "nice to have." It is foundational infrastructure for a thriving community just as critical as roads, utilities, and public safety. Here in Findlay, we understand that when families have access to reliable, affordable childcare, everything else works better. Parents can participate fully in the workforce. Employers can recruit and retain talent. Children receive the early learning experiences that shape lifelong success. And our local economy grows stronger as a result. That is why, over the past three years, we have been working to make meaningful progress on the accessibility and affordability of high-quality childcare. Through the work of the Hancock County Childcare Collaborative, we have focused on advancing policy changes to lessen needless regulations at the local, state, and federal levels, increasing capacity through support of facility expansions, and working to recruit and retain childcare professionals. Today, however, I am not writing to focus on the local work we are doing. I am writing to draw attention to steps being taken at the state and federal levels which, on the surface, sound good but will ultimately place additional strain on an already fragile childcare system. Across Ohio and the nation, childcare remains one of the most strained systems in our economy. Families are paying between $10,000 and $13,000 per child annually, with many spending nearly 30% of their income just to secure care. At the same time, according to the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, our state loses an estimated $5.48 billion in economic activity each year due to childcare challenges. This is not sustainable, for families, for businesses, or for communities like Findlay. Childcare providers operate in one of the most complex and heavily regulated environments in our economy. They manage fluctuating enrollment, staffing shortages, and razor-thin margins, all while caring for our most important asset: our children. That's why policy decisions, especially those made at the state and federal level, must be thoughtful, practical, and grounded in real-world operations. One of the most concerning developments is the push away from enrollment-based reimbursement toward strict attendance-based payment models. (HB647) On paper, that may sound reasonable. In practice, it creates instability. Childcare providers must staff classrooms based on enrollment, not daily attendance. Children get sick. Parents' schedules change. But the cost of maintaining a safe, high-quality environment does not fluctuate day-to-day. Eliminating enrollment-based reimbursement undermines financial stability and makes it harder for providers to stay open—let alone expand. If our goal is to increase access to childcare, we cannot simultaneously adopt policies that make it harder for providers to operate. We all agree that accountability matters. Public dollars should be used responsibly, and bad actors should be addressed. But not every proposal in the name of accountability actually improves outcomes. For example, proposals that would require widespread video surveillance in childcare facilities, such as those included in legislation like HB 649 introduced by State Reps. Josh Williams, R-Toledo, and D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, raise serious concerns. These policies create additional costs, administrative burdens, and most importantly privacy concerns, all without clear evidence that they meaningfully improve accountability. Similarly, layering additional regulations on an already strained system risks driving more small providers out of the market—further limiting access for families who are already struggling to find care. We should be cautious about policies that sound strong but ultimately make childcare less available. Not all proposed legislation misses the mark. In fact, there are several thoughtful ideas currently under consideration that deserve support. Efforts to expand eligibility for childcare assistance, such as those proposed in HB 777, HB 787, and HB 827, recognize the reality that middle-income families are increasingly priced out of care. Proposals to support childcare workers themselves, like HB 768 and the companion bills HB 484 and SB 177, acknowledge a critical truth: if we want a strong childcare system, we must invest in the workforce that makes it possible. And common-sense reforms as being proposed in the new Licensing Field Guide by the Ohio Department and Child and Youth are steps in the right direction. These are the kinds of policies that move us forward, ensuring accountability while expanding access, supporting providers, and strengthening families. Childcare is not a partisan issue. It is an economic issue, a workforce issue, and a community issue. In Findlay, we are proud of our strong economy, our engaged employers, and most importantly our commitment to families. But we cannot sustain that success without a childcare system that works. That means: • Supporting policies that expand access and affordability • Ensuring accountability without overregulation • Providing stable funding structures that reflect real-world operations • Investing in the childcare workforce And it means rejecting proposals like eliminating enrollment-based reimbursement or imposing excessive surveillance requirements that ultimately make it harder to provide care. The path forward requires collaboration. Local leaders, employers, providers, and families all have a role to play in shaping practical, effective solutions. I encourage our community to stay engaged, share your experiences, and make your voices heard with state policymakers. Your perspective matters. Because at the end of the day, we all know, "it takes a Village" or in our case a City. Christina Muryn is mayor of Findlay. She can be reached at cmuryn@findlayohio.gov.