(Corvallis, OR) -- New research suggests efforts to make childcare more readily available in Oregon are paying off. The study by Oregon State University found the number of counties considered childcare deserts declined from 27 in 2018 to nine in 2024. A childcare desert is when there are three or more children for each available seat. The report says public funding is helping to make childcare more available. The number of small family homes providing childcare increased by 988 slots since 2022.