New KinderCare research shows gaps in support are driving career choices, especially for working fathers
Key highlights:
New data from KinderCare’s survey shows that while Minnesota workplaces are outpacing employers across the country with child care benefits, fathers across the state are most concerned about benefit rollbacks.
- Minnesota leads but gaps remain: Employers outpace the U.S. in offering benefits, yet nearly one-quarter offer no comprehensive child care support.
- Minnesota’s working fathers are making career sacrifices: 66% are job hunting for better benefits and 77% would take a pay cut for quality child care.
- Employer-supported child care increases retention: 76% of Minnesota working parents say stronger support would make them more loyal to their company.
- KinderCare helps employers close the gap: Flexible solutions support working families while strengthening workforce stability.
- Child care is a core business driver: Working parents make job and career decisions based on access to reliable care, directly impacting retention and productivity.
LAKE OSWEGO, Ore. [April 7, 2026] – Findings from KinderCare Learning Companies, Inc.’s (NYSE: KLC) (“KinderCare”)first state-level KinderCare Confidence Index, conducted with The Harris Poll, show that while Minnesota employers lead the nation in offering on-demand child care benefits, outpacing the U.S. average by 6%, gaps remain. Nearly one-quarter of workplaces offer no comprehensive child care benefits, and 70% of working fathers worry existing benefits may be scaled back.
As a result, child care challenges are directly shaping career decisions across the state. In fact, 66% of Minnesota fathers report actively looking for a new job with better child care benefits, underscoring how access to reliable care has become a key driver of workforce retention and productivity.
Working Fathers are Making Career Sacrifices for Child Care Support
Unreliable child care is forcing difficult career decisions. 77% of Minnesota fathers say they would take a pay cut to work for a company that provided quality child care. Surprisingly, Minnesota’s working parents are more likely to change or reduce work due to child care challenges compared to the national average, with 72% switching or considering switching jobs (64% nationally), 71% stating they’ve scaled back their work hours (65% nationally), and 70% taking or considering a less demanding role (64% nationally).
As employers look to respond, KinderCare is partnering with organizations across Minnesota to provide flexible child care solutions that help working families stay engaged at work while supporting their children’s growth and development.
“Minnesota parents want child care support and they’re looking for their employers to help,” said Dan Figurski, President of KinderCare for Employers and Champions. “Minnesota companies have a valuable opportunity to improve employee retention by offering comprehensive child care benefits. Employers don’t have to do it alone. KinderCare is already working with several Minnesota organizations to offer flexible child care solutions to help workplace leaders provide competitive benefits that bring value to their employees and improve their bottom line.”
Better Workplace Benefit Education Encourages More Present Parents
Employers are falling behind when it comes to adequately educating employees on what benefits are available to them. For example, 80% of working Minnesota fathers state their company frequently promotes its overall benefits, but rarely highlights support for working parents, and if they do, 68% find current child care benefits difficult to understand.
Employers play a key role in helping parents succeed both at home and at work. In fact, 82% of fathers say consistent access to quality child care would help them be more present with their children, and 76% of all working parents say stronger employer support would make them more loyal employees to their companies.
To download the 2026 Minnesota KinderCare Confidence Index Survey visit here. To learn more about KinderCare’s flexible child care solutions for employers, please visit here.
Methodology
This survey was conducted online within Minnesota by The Harris Poll on behalf of KinderCare from January 8, 2026, to January 16, 2026, among 520 parents with children age 12 and younger. Within the sample we surveyed 212 parents with children age 5 and under, and 308 with children age 6-12. The presentation represents national sample; we then looked at the data cut by the following demographics: age, race/ethnicity, gender, income, region, and employment status. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
About KinderCare Learning Companies™
KinderCare Learning Companies, Inc.(NYSE: KLC) is a leading private provider of early childhood and school-age education and care. KinderCare builds confidence for life in children and families from all backgrounds. KinderCare supports hardworking families in 41 states and the District of Columbia with differentiated flexible child care solutions through its portfolio of brands and services:
- KinderCare® Learning Centers offering early learning programs for children six weeks to 12 years old;
- The Crème School®, a premium early education experience using a variety of enrichment classrooms;
- Champions®before- and after-school programs in local schools, and
- Customized child care benefits – enhancing employer medical, dental, and parental leave benefits with access to child care on or near their parent’s workplace, as well as tuition benefits and backup care across all our programs.
Headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, KinderCare operates more than 2,700 early learning centers and sites.
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