This was frustrating, but looking up the actual IRS Form 2441 for Child and Dependent Care Expenses was helpful.
On that form it makes clear that the max number you can enter for childcare expenses is NOT what you actually paid, it's the max allowable per the # of dependents you have (for 2022 it's $3k for 1 kid, $6k for 2+).
In my case, I also had to subtract child care dollars that were already paid pre-tax (through employer account), and this arrived at the "true" cost number that TurboTax wants to see.
