Facing acute labor shortages during COVID-19 in a “childcare desert,” Steamboat Ski Resort co-funded an onsite childcare center serving employees and the broader community. The result was immediate: working parents reported they would have otherwise quit, while those with access became more focused and productive. This localized intervention serves as a proxy for broader corporate impact.
Across five companies studied by Moms First and the Boston Consulting Group, childcare benefits consistently generated strong financial returns, with ROI ranging from 90% to 425% . These gains are driven primarily by reduced turnover and absenteeism. Employees with reliable care avoided up to 13 missed workdays annually, while companies could recoup program costs by retaining as few as 1–12% of eligible workers . In tight labor markets, this translates into substantial savings on hiring, training, and lost productivity.
Beyond quantifiable returns, childcare benefits strengthen culture, improve recruitment, and increase employee loyalty—up to 86% of workers report they are more likely to stay with employers offering such support. Steamboat’s experience demonstrates that childcare is not a perk but a strategic workforce investment with scalable ROI, positioning companies to compete more effectively while stabilizing the broader labor force.