A growing number of working parents say the family, friends and neighbours they once relied on for childcare are no longer available, leaving many juggling patchwork care arrangements and calling on employers to step in with greater support.
For generations, the phrase “it takes a village” captured the idea that raising children was a shared responsibility supported by relatives, neighbours and community networks. But for many working parents today, that village appears to be disappearing.
According to new research from the 2026 Modern Family Index (MFI), commissioned by Bright Horizons Family Solutions and conducted by The Harris Poll, 81% of working parents say the childcare “village” they rely on during the workday is smaller than it was for previous generations.
SHRINKING CHILDCARE SUPPORT NETWORK
The study reveals that while most parents still believe community support is essential to raising children, many feel those networks are fading. Eight in 10 working parents say their childcare support network has shrunk compared with previous generations, forcing many to rely on informal or inconsistent childcare arrangements during the workday.
The research also found that 77% of parents agree that raising children requires a village, highlighting the growing gap between what families need and what support systems currently exist.
DISAPPEARING SUPPORT NETWORK FOR WORKING PARENTS
Family structures and community dynamics have changed dramatically over recent decades. Extended families are more geographically dispersed, neighbours are less likely to provide informal childcare, and dual-income households have become the norm.
Research from Stanford University’s RAPID Survey in 2025 found that relatives and neighbours, traditionally relied upon for childcare emergencies, are now far less consistently available. As a result, parents increasingly find themselves piecing together informal arrangements. The MFI research found that 60% of working parents rely on a patchwork network of individuals to care for their children during the workday, even though 88% say they would prefer a consistent set of caregivers.
This instability is contributing to growing stress among parents trying to balance careers and caregiving responsibilities. Previous studies have highlighted how workplace structures can intensify these pressures, as reported. The research found that many mothers still feel forced to limit their careers because of inflexible working practices and inadequate childcare support.
LACK OF RELIABLE CHILDCARE
Working parents surveyed described significant challenges in arranging reliable childcare during working hours. According to MFI’s key findings:
- 63% wish they had more reliable formal childcare during the workday
- 62% say finding someone to watch their children during work hours is harder than expected
- 62% say they feel at the mercy of other people’s generosity when arranging childcare
- 56% say they constantly worry about what would happen if their regular childcare became unavailable
Many families are also balancing multiple caregiving roles. The survey found that 25% of working parents are also providing unpaid care for an ageing parent or family member, adding further strain to already stretched schedules. This group – often described as the “sandwich generation” – faces particularly high risks of burnout.
BETTER EMPLOYER SUPPORT NEEDED
As traditional support networks shrink, expectations are increasingly shifting toward employers. The study found that 65% of working parents wish their employer played a larger role in their “parenting village” by providing access to childcare resources such as on-site childcare centres or backup care services.
Stephen Kramer, Chief Executive of Bright Horizons, said employers have an opportunity to rethink how they support working families. “Forward-thinking employers are redefining what it means to support the modern workforce,” Kramer said. “As the needs of working parents continue to evolve, they deserve dependable care solutions that allow them to thrive both at work and at home.”
Some organisations are already prioritising family-friendly policies, as reported. Companies recognised as best workplaces for working parents have invested heavily in childcare support, flexible work and caregiving resources.
COST OF IGNORING CHILDCARE CHALLENGES
Experts say organisations that ignore childcare challenges risk serious consequences for both employees and businesses. They include:
Talent loss
When childcare becomes unmanageable, many employees. particularly women. reduce their working hours or leave the workforce entirely, as reported.
Higher burnout rates
Parents juggling caregiving responsibilities without support experience significantly higher levels of stress and exhaustion, as reported.
Lower employee engagement
Workers who feel unsupported are less likely to remain loyal to their employers and more likely to seek opportunities elsewhere, as reported.
Gender inequality in leadership
Without workplace support, women remain disproportionately affected by caregiving responsibilities, slowing progress toward gender equality in senior roles.
HOW TO SUPPORT WORKING PARENTS
Experts say employers hoping to retain talent must rethink how they support employees with caregiving responsibilities. This includes:
1. Providing childcare support
Offering on-site childcare centres, childcare subsidies or emergency backup care can significantly reduce stress for working parents. Research has shown that employer-supported childcare can help increase workforce participation and retention.
2. Offer flexible working arrangements
Flexible schedules, hybrid work and remote work options allow parents to manage school schedules and childcare disruptions more effectively.
3. Normalise parental leave
Encouraging both mothers and fathers to take parental leave helps distribute caregiving responsibilities more equally. However, many working fathers still feel “nervous” about asking for time off to care for their children, according to new research exposing how deep-rooted stigma around fatherhood and caregiving continues to shape modern workplaces, as reported.
4. Build a supportive workplace culture
All employees must feel comfortable discussing childcare needs without fear of negative career consequences, as reported.
5. Provide caregiver support resources
Many workers are caring for both children and ageing parents. Providing caregiver support programmes can help reduce stress and improve wellbeing, as reported.
REBUILDING A MODERN ECOSYSTEM FOR WORKING PARENTS
While the traditional village of relatives and neighbours may be shrinking, experts say new forms of support are beginning to emerge. Increasingly, employers, childcare providers and community services are becoming essential parts of the modern parenting ecosystem.
But until those systems evolve further, many working parents remain dependent on fragile networks of informal care, hoping the village they rely on does not disappear entirely.
Read the full IMF report here.
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