(NewsUSA) - For generations of workers, retirement benefits represented the reward for years of dedication and hard work. But for today’s working parents, a more immediate investment has quietly taken center stage: child care.

Across kitchen tables, carpool lines and late-night email sessions, parents navigate a daily reality that feels increasingly fragile. One canceled caregiver, one closed classroom, or one sick day can send an entire work week into chaos as parents try to balance child care and work needs simultaneously. While flexible schedules and remote work help, they haven’t solved the core issue: reliable child care is essential for working families.

As a result, parents are reassessing what they need from their employers. Recent national research from KinderCare Learning Company’s annual Parent Confidence Index shows that parents now view child care as one of the most important benefits when deciding whether to stay in a job, even ranking it ahead of traditional long-term benefits like retirement plans. In fact, 85% say child care support should be considered as essential as healthcare, reflecting how closely it’s tied to daily productivity, focus and peace of mind.

Jessica Harrah, Chief People Officer at KinderCare Learning Companies, a national provider of early learning programs, says this shift reflects what families have experienced for years.

“Parents want to do great work and build meaningful careers,” Harrah said. “But when child care is unpredictable or hard to access, it creates stress that spills into every part of life. Supporting parents with child care is about giving families stability so they can show up fully, both at work and at home.”

At the same time, many parents say these benefits are either unavailable, poorly communicated or difficult to understand. That gap between what families need and what workplaces offer can feel discouraging. Parents don’t have to navigate this alone though, says Harrah. Connecting with coworkers, employee resource groups, or leaders who understand caregiving responsibilities can help normalize these conversations.

“When more parents speak openly about child care needs, it becomes easier for employers to recognize where gaps exist,” said Harrah. “When approaching a manager or HR team, parents don’t need to frame child care as a personal favor. Instead, connect it to productivity and consistency. When families have access to reliable care, stress levels drop, loyalty increases, and parents are more engaged and able to do their best work at the office or on the job.”

The future of work isn’t just about where or when people work, it’s about whether families have the stability and support they need to keep going. Child care has become the benefit that makes everything else possible. To learn more about how KinderCare provides stability for thousands of families across its nationwide footprint of KinderCare Learning Centers, visit kindercare.com.