In a new nationwide survey commissioned by United WE and announced at the National Association of Women Business Owners Days in the District, 62% of women entrepreneurs indicate child care options fail to meet their needs and negatively impact their business.
The study consisted of 750 women entrepreneurs with children under the age of 6, the majority, or 57% stated that their business could be more successful if they had better child care options.
“For years, women entrepreneurs have been taking a giant step forward to start their own businesses because they wanted more flexible child care support,” said Wendy Doyle, president and CEO of United We, a nonpartisan organization with the mission to advance all women’s economic and civic leadership. “What we’re learning now is that women entrepreneurs’ growth is being held back by inadequate child care options, partially driven by critical needs within the child care workforce itself.”
According to a 2024 Wells Fargo report, women-owned businesses positively impact the economy, representing more than 14 million of all businesses, or 39.1%, employing 12.2 million workers and generating $2.7 trillion in revenue. When asked about their specific child care needs, 31% of women say flexible scheduling in child care services is their first need.
The survey reported that the second (29%) need is for infant and toddler care followed by the third (27%), which is care during early morning and late evening hours.
