The Current Crisis
The lack of affordable childcare is one of the biggest barriers facing working families today, forcing millions of parents—primarily women—out of the workforce! For CAKES body founders and working mothers Taylor and Casey Capuano, this was personal—it nearly forced them out of the workplace.
In response, CAKES launched the CAKES Childcare Credit in 2025, the largest childcare stipend in the country (up to $36,000 per employee per year for eligible childcare expenses), alongside a family-first way of working that allowed both the business and the employees to thrive.
On the one year anniversary of this viral announcement, CAKES body and its partners Moms First, Start Early and TOOTRiS are calling on business leaders and employees to take action—pledging committment and action towards a future where no one is forced to leave the workforce because of the cost of childcare.
#CAKESChildcareMovement
How to Get Involved
Review What We’ve Done
For Employers: Download the CAKES Childcare Policy & Ways of Working as inspiration for implementation at your organization. Copy, change it and make it your own.
For Employees: Download the policy and send to your HR Team as a way to open the conversation about childcare benefit
Commit and Take Action
Help amplify childcare as a workforce priority by posting your personal or workplace commitment on LinkedIn or Social media with one of the CAKESChildcareMovement graphics below. Use #CAKESChildcareMovement and help us turn awareness into action.
Take Action as an Employer
Unlock a Federal Tax Credit
The 45F Employer-Provided Child Care Tax Credit lets businesses claim up to $500,000 annually for qualifying child care investments. See if your organization is eligible.
Join the Moms First Business Coalition
Over 200 leading employers have joined the Mom's First National Business Coalition to advance child care as a business priority. Add your company's voice, commit to change and get access to resources and support for implementation.
Advocate for National Child Care Change
Start Early drives systemic change through federal and state advocacy. Sign up to receive noteworthy developments in state and federal early childhood news, policy trends and analyses, and important opportunities to help advance Start Early’s Policy Agenda.
Explore Employer Childcare Benefits
TOOTRiS helps employers launch childcare benefits employees can utilize at 200,000+ providers nationwide. A ready-made way to put the 45F credit to work for your workforce.
