Back-to-school season often brings a flood of heartwarming social media posts featuring children with fresh school supplies, excitedly holding signs with their new teachers’ names. But behind these adorable snapshots lies a different reality for many working parents—stress and anxiety caused by the high cost of childcare and the juggling act of work schedule, new school schedules, activities and many other associated stresses. Read on for a guide on how you can step up as an employer to help your working caregivers and boost your businesses bottom line.

Childcare expenses in the U.S. now average $11,582 per year, placing a significant financial strain on families. This burden can negatively impact your employees’ wellbeing and stress levels, especially as they navigate the challenges of securing care for children under five or finding after-school programs. The situation is even more challenging for those living in childcare deserts, where limited access forces them to drive long distances or endure lengthy waitlists.

For frontline workers—who represent over 80% of the workforce—the struggle is particularly acute. These employees often work nontraditional hours and require childcare solutions that align with their schedules. Yet, they face the same obstacles in finding affordable, accessible options that are flexible as their kids’ schedules change.

Common back-to-school challenges

As the school year begins, employees may encounter various challenges that organizations should keep in mind, including:

• Gap week coverage: Summer camps often end before the school year begins, or your college sitters go back to campus, leaving a gap in childcare coverage.
• Adjusting to new schedules: As children transition to new schools or experience changes in start and end times, parents may require flexibility to manage these shifts while balancing their work responsibilities.
• Anxious children: The transition back to school can be stressful for kids, adding to the emotional load parents carry. Parents may need to spend extra time helping kids adjust and completing new school tasks.
• Back-to-school expenses: School supplies and activity costs, combined with ongoing childcare expenses, especially if you have multiple children, can strain family budgets.
• After-school activities: Coordinating these schedules adds another layer of complexity for working parents.

How employers can help

To support your employees during the back-to-school season, consider implementing the following solutions:

• Offer emergency backup care or stipends: Help alleviate the stress of finding last minute care and some of the financial burden by providing backup care credits or stipends for local childcare. These benefits can significantly impact your employees’ financial wellbeing and job satisfaction, which means less absenteeism, less attrition, and more productivity for your business.
  

• Provide a comprehensive childcare database: With so much of the workforce comprising frontline workers, it’s essential to offer solutions that accommodate their unique schedules. A comprehensive database that connects employees with fully vetted daycare centers, nannies, babysitters, after-school-programs, and preschools can be a game-changer. This can also truly help those employees in childcare deserts find care fast.

  Upwards’ network of over 200,000 providers and care navigators that match parents to providers with a 95% success rate in under 72 hours can be a big life saver!
  

• Implement flexible work arrangements: To support your employees during the back-to-school period, consider offering flexible work hours or remote work options where possible. This flexibility allows parents to adjust to new schedules, manage childcare gaps, and address their children’s needs, reducing stress and helping them maintain a healthy work-life balance.
  
  For frontline workers, explore opportunities to assign tasks that can be completed from home, such as paperwork or other computer-based work. Additionally, consider giving them more control over their schedules by allowing them to choose their workdays or adjust shift schedules and lengths.
  

• Provide back-to-school resources: This could be as simple as providing information about local after-school programs or hosting a seminar on stress management or time management strategies. Empowering your employees with the right tools supports their success and creates a win-win situation for everyone.
  

• Create a parent employee resource group (ERG): To support working parents, consider creating a parent ERG – a group where employees connect over shared parent experiences or life experiences. They can provide a sense of support, community, and a resource for each other.

As the back-to-school season begins, it’s crucial for employers to recognize the hidden challenges many working parents face beyond the cheerful social media posts. The financial strain of childcare, the complexities of adjusting to new schedules, and the emotional toll of managing anxious children all contribute to heightened stress levels that can affect your employees’ wellbeing and productivity.

By offering targeted support—such as childcare stipends, flexible work arrangements, and access to comprehensive parent resources—you can help alleviate these burdens and create a more supportive work environment.

Looking for innovative ways to support your employees as kids head back to school?

Upwards can match your employees with vetted, safe and affordable childcare solutions and help you provide backup care and stipends to relieve stresses like finding daycare, the cost of daycare, and also the business strains when employees are impacted by childcare issues. By adding childcare to your organization’s total rewards package, you’ll increase retention, reduce absenteeism, and boost productivity, engagement, and retention—ensuring your organization is ready for the future.