Childcare is only so high because of government regulations. Rules like “must have handwash sink X feet from changing station” and massive amounts of documentation have essentially shut down home based childcare, such as stay at home mothers watching a couple more kids to earn money.
Childcare centers pushed the rules to improve marketshare, in the guise of public safety.
End result - these rules shut down 30% of in home childcare in Texas, and costs went up.
Yep, always the same problems - some combinations of lawyers, government, regulations, activists, liberal weenies and the death of common sense.