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Whether it's not enough slots or rising monthly costs, many North Dakota parents have felt that child-care is out of reach for them.

More than a year after the state took action, key observers are weighing in on the progress.

In 2023, Governor Doug Burgum signed a $66 million child-care package meant to boost accessibility in a variety of ways.

Robin Nelson, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of the Red River Valley, said streamlining the background-check process to speed the hiring of workers has appeared to make things easier in Cass County.

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"Prior to the session, we were waiting anywhere from four to six weeks to get a child-care worker on the floor," said Nelson, "and that has really come down to seven to 10 days."

She also points to training stipends for workers, and increasing eligibility for families in need of aid to pay for child care, as other positives.

But Nelson said she feels most fixes are temporary, and said she hopes that state lawmakers look at long-term solutions when they reconvene early next year.

The state will have a new governor, Kelly Armstrong, who has stated his desire to address workforce challenges - and advocates say lack of child care overlaps with that issue.

Nelson said she feels the state needs to focus more on the root cause of this dilemma, which is low pay for child-care workers and the ability to retain them.

"A lot of money was put into infrastructure and buildings," said Nelson, "but you can build buildings all you want and child-care centers, but if you don't have workers, you're not going to be able to serve families."

Policy experts anticipate that key lawmakers will soon begin drafting bills related to child-care needs, but it's unclear how much of an appetite the Legislature will have for adopting another large aid package.