🛫 The Great Exit - Moms Leaving the Workforce

Today’s Issue: Back country Nobel Prize; The Mom Great Exit; ECE in the News = 3/4 cup of coffee.

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You know what’s cool? Winning a Nobel Prize. It’s a dream for so many! You know what’s even cooler? Being so far into nature, you missed the call that you won. That’s what immunologist Fred Ramsdell did. He had his phone on airplane mode while hiking through Montana and only found out later he was the big winner. Ramsdell THEN told The New York Times the idea of winning “never crossed my mind.” Talk about the next level of stoicism…

Check out the details 👉👉👉 HERE!! 🏕️

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The Great Childcare Squeeze: Working Moms Are Leaving (Again)

Between January and June 2025, the number of mothers with children under five in the workforce dropped nearly three percentage points — and it’s not a coincidence. As big companies tighten their return-to-office (RTO) rules, many moms are finding that juggling in-office work and childcare just doesn’t add up.

According to a new KPMG report, it’s a perfect storm: higher childcare costs, fewer providers, and less flexibility at work are pushing women—especially college-educated moms of very young children—out of the labor force.

Here’s what’s going on:

What They Found

• Mothers are leaving work: Labor force participation among college-educated mothers of young children fell from 80% in 2023 to 77% in 2025, while fathers’ participation actually ticked up.

• Costs are rising fast: Childcare prices are increasing at twice the rate of overall inflation, driven by staffing shortages and higher operating costs.

• Fewer providers available: After pandemic stabilization funds expired, the childcare workforce stalled—about 100,000 workers short of where it would’ve been if support had continued.

• Return-to-office policies are biting: Full-time in-office mandates among Fortune 500 companies nearly doubled between late 2024 and mid-2025, making it harder for parents (mostly mothers) to stay in the workforce.

As KPMG bluntly put it: “The childcare cliff has become more of a plateau—but that plateau shows a sector in crisis.”

💡 Why It Matters

• For families: Lost income, stalled careers, and tough budgeting choices.

• For employers: Fewer experienced workers, more turnover, and higher hiring costs.

• For the economy: Lower productivity and slower growth as an entire segment of skilled labor steps back.

What This Means for ECE Providers

This shifting trend could signal an enrollment dip for early childhood centers as more parents reduce hours or stay home longer. But it also opens the door for innovation and partnerships.

How can you help foster your ECE operations to support the expected dip in ECE demand?

• Offer flexible options: Half-day, part-week, or drop-in care can appeal to hybrid-working families.

• Build employer partnerships: Local businesses may fund or subsidize care for employees—approach them about sponsored slots.

• Focus on staff retention: Competitive pay, training, and support help stabilize your team amid workforce shortages.

Childcare centers that stay adaptive, creative, and collaborative can turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities.

👇❣️👇Check out the article details by clicking the button BELOW!👇❣️👇

ECE In The News

🌟 ECE for Homeless Shelters: The numbers of families who are homeless with kids can shock you. So, when families are trying to get their feet off the ground, ECE heroes step into the rescue where they can. That’s what they are trying to do in the LA area. It’s a big task, but we’re glad someone is trying to help reach families where they can. Click 👉👉 HERE to get the details on what they’re doing.

Three Key Takeaways for School/ECE Partnerships: As funds may run out in some states, others are figuring out what to do to help expand the reach with public schools. This recent article provides the top THREE takeaways for what that impact can be. Check it out 👉👉 HERE.

The Internet is a Playground:

🗓️ On this Day in History: In 2007, the reality TV series Keeping Up with the Kardashians premiered; the show's huge popularity helped make various family members major celebrities, notably Kim Kardashian. 📺

🏦 That’s interesting: Why is everything becoming a bank?

🐿️ Backyard Kids: Squirrels are curious too!

YOUR VOICE COUNTS

Is there a topic you want more info on or want to share a funny story? Then let us know! Shoot us a quick email at [email protected]. This newsletter is for you, and well, you should have a say, don't’ you think?