US families turn to grandparents amid rising childcare costs

Rising childcare costs in the United States are driving more families to rely on grandparents for support. For many parents, the expense of professional daycare has become a significant financial burden, sometimes rivaling mortgage or rent payments.

Data from Child Care Aware of America indicates that the average annual cost for childcare for children under five in the U.S. was $13,184 in 2025. This surge in pricing has led some families to make major life changes, such as relocating or retiring, to ensure children receive care that is otherwise unaffordable.