TENNESSEE — ThinkTennessee released a report identifying challenges facing rural home-based childcare providers in Tennessee, citing a decrease in available spaces. The organization pointed to policies from other states that could offer potential solutions.

Thirty of Tennessee's 35 childcare deserts are rural. Home-based childcare in Tennessee costs an average of 33% less than center-based care.

"We've seen the number of spaces in family homes decrease recently — over 10% since 2018," said Amy Gore, policy director for ThinkTennessee. "That's in part due to the challenges that they face as small businesses like any other business would, like regulations, insurance requirements."

ThinkTennessee pointed to various state-level initiatives addressing these concerns. In Virginia, childcare providers have the option to lower costs through shared liability insurance and employee health benefits. Gore also noted that states such as Alabama and Wisconsin provide shared services for training. "And in Colorado, they've made it easier to open up a home-based childcare without challenges from a homeowners' association," Gore said.