For Nevada families, childcare has become one of the most stressful parts of raising a child. Frustrated parents often tell me they call multiple daycare centers only to discover monthslong waiting lists or sky-high prices that rival their monthly income. 

Across the state, nearly 3 out of 4 children younger than 6 do not have access to a licensed childcare slot, forcing thousands of parents to step away from the workforce entirely. That limited supply of childcare slots also drives up prices, which explains why Nevada families spend more on childcare relative to their income than families in any other state.

The shortage doesn't just affect households. It threatens our state economy. More than 65 percent of Nevada's children live in households where both parents work, placing reliable childcare at the center of workforce participation. Nearly half of Nevada employers report difficulty hiring and retaining workers due to childcare gaps, and the state loses about $1 billion annually in productivity from these disruptions.

Let's not forget how it affects children. When parents can't find reliable childcare, children miss early learning experiences that shape their long-term development and future opportunities. It's no surprise that Nevada ranks 47th in the nation for overall child well-being, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2025 Kids Count Data Book. 

At the YMCA of Southern Nevada, we see the human side of these numbers every day. I hear parents regularly ask whether a childcare seat will become available while they juggle work and informal, low-quality or unaffordable care arrangements. 

I can relate. Childcare was essential to my parents' ability to work and their struggle to escape living paycheck to paycheck. The high cost of care, however, made that fight significantly harder. Places such as the YMCA became my safe space and inspired me to join the movement to address this crisis for the thousands of kids like me. 

Fast forward to today, when we're working with community partners such as Clark County to expand childcare options across Southern Nevada. One example is the YMCA's "pop-up preschool," which allows modular early learning centers to co-habit with businesses, schools and community gathering spaces. 

We're not the only ones innovating in this area; the City of Las Vegas' Strong Start Go mobile preschool program and First 5 Nevada's holistic Head Start offer alternative opportunities for childhood education as well.

Best of all, these programs work. Long-term studies show that kids who attend preschool are more likely to graduate from high school, remain employed and earn higher incomes.

If we could scale this idea across the state tomorrow, that would be a dream come true. Of course, it's not that easy. One of the greatest barriers to expanding childcare access in Southern Nevada is the lack of capital funding to build or retrofit facilities. In my experience, almost all childcare grants prohibit the funds from being used to build or retrofit centers to increase capacity. This pushes providers to incur large amounts of debt, with the cost passed on to the very parents already struggling to afford care. Given other factors, from the uncertainty clouding federal grants to the prospect of legal headaches, it's little wonder we're seeing no growth in childcare despite a high and growing demand.

Childcare isn't just a necessity for working parents. It's essential economic infrastructure for a thriving community and stable workforce. Nevada's childcare shortage did not emerge overnight and it will not be solved overnight, but with coordinated investment from community leaders, philanthropists and partners, Southern Nevada can expand infrastructure and strengthen the region's educational outcomes and economy. 

Every child deserves the chance to start life with a strong foundation, and every family deserves reliable access to the care they need to thrive.

Jordan Sommaggio is the president and CEO of the YMCA of Southern Nevada. He focuses on expanding access to early childhood education, youth development and community health programs that help families thrive.