The Wood River Early Learning Collaborative recognizes the urgency in addressing this complex issue and is working expeditiously towards creating equitable access to quality and affordable care and early education opportunities

Top three barriers to childcare :

Not enough availability

Childcare is unaffordable for most

Lack of off-hours care

This community needs assessment was conducted from Novemeber 2022- January 2023 as a first step in building a wholistic plan that reflects our unique community needs.

The data gathered highlights the pressing concerns surrounding early learning opportunities and care for the children ages birth through five, their families, and the early childhood providers in the Wood River Valley

The affordability gap is a serious concern, with most families unable to pay what providers need to charge to sustain their business.

The is also a significant lack of care hours contributing to the crisis. Parents struggle to find care that mirrors hours of a typical day of work. The best case seinerio is often to juggle their full responsibilities between drop-offs, pick- ups, and supplemental care. This challenge ripples to employers, who then suffer trying to accommodate staff while meeting the demands of the work.

FAMILIES

What families can afford to pay for daycare or preschool

The need for off-hours care (hours outside of an 8 am to 5 pm workday) are not being met, with 36% of families needing care before 8:00 am and/or after 5:00 pm on weekdays and 12% needing care options on weekends.

When those staying home to care for children aged birth through five were asked if they would return to the workforce if they could find quality and affordable care, 68% responded “yes” and 20% “maybe.” Only 12% responded “no”.

CHILDCARE PROVIDERS

All daycare Monday – Friday is offered by 92% of providers, however no providers offer any off-hours care on weekends and only 15% offer off-hours care on weekdays before 8:00 am and/or after 5:00 pm.

Licensed childcare professionals are taking care of 46% of children age birth through 5 years old, followed by family members (29%), babysitters (12%), nannies (7%), and friends (6%).

73% need daycare and preschool programs located in the south valley (Bellevue and Hailey). 5% stated a need for a daycare and preschool program in Carey which currently does not have any providers.

54% of providers offer multi-child discounts and 23% offer and continuing scholarship program. No providers offer a sliding scale.

Of the providers surveyed, the programs together offer care for approximately
300 CHILDREN

with over

Children still on waitlists

85%

OF PROVIDERS WOULD OR MIGHT SERVE MORE CHILDREN IF THEY HAD LARGER FACILITY CAPACITY.

BUSINESSES AND EMPLOYERS

71% of businesses have 11 or more employees that regularly use childcare services.

Business responses when asked how the performance of employees is impacted by childcare issues:

“Staff often have to arrive late or leave early to accommodate the limiting factors of childcare:

hours – closures – transportation – illness.”

“Negatively impacted by absenteeism and lack of work focus when there are concerns about availability, hours, and quality of childcare.”

“The lack of childcare options or affordable childcare options prevent us from hiring, retaining, and getting the most out of our employees.”

How often do your employees miss days of work due to childcare issues?

82%

OF BUSINESSES AGREE OR STRONGLY AGREE THAT SUPPORT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE SERVICES IS VITAL TO THE STRENGTH OF OUR ECONOMY.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE COMMENTS

  • “I read to young children across our valley. Regularly, I interact with teachers, parents and other community members about the deficit and serious need for more quality and affordable childcare programs. It is in our best interest to actively support this initiative. Our youngest community members need access to affordable and quality programs as it gives them the greatest chance of becoming productive and empathetic members of our society.”

    Elise M. DeKlotz

  • “We received a strong level of feedback that is likely to be representative of the larger community! I think we have both interest and resources available to make a positive impact on a workable solution. We’re headed in the right direction!”

    – Jim Foudy

  • “Addressing the educational needs for our community is wonderfully impactful to me both as a person, and as a librarian. Helping parents understand the importance of early education and literacy falls into the category as being one of our most difficult challenges within our county.”

    – Kristin Gearhart

  • “Sun Valley Economic Development identified an increasing childcare gap in our community as Blaine Co emerged from COVID last year. Businesses are still struggling to find qualified help given the shortage in the available workforce, and improved childcare opportunities will be one critical mechanism to fill this gap.”

    – Harry Griffith

  • “The core Early Learning Advisory Committee came together organically and has grown into a cohesive group of ‘we’. With the diversity and breadth of skills and experience on this team, together with the support of our community, I believe that we will succeed in actualizing our vision of equitable access to both quality early learning and care (for one cannot have one without the other) for our youngest citizens.”

    – Kathryn Ivers

  • “Not only does early education create a positive impact, but heightens the ability with social and emotional skills. Furthermore, creates space for relationship building with peers and opportunities in their future. Most importantly, is educating parents on the importance of early education. I’m so excited to see the outcome with this great team and watch children grow and become whatever they want to be.”

    – Jane Lopez

  • “The WRELC needs assessment demonstrates consensus from our families, providers, and business community, that there is a great need in our Valley for affordable, quality childcare. A collaborative effort will support our families, our children, and our local businesses.”

    Laura Rose-Lewis

  • “The data gathered by the WRELC demonstrates the symbiotic relationship with having quality, affordable childcare options, and a thriving business sector. I believe that we can work together to find sustainable solutions that benefit both families and businesses, and ultimately young children.”

    – Janet Salvoni

  • “Research shows that children who have access to quality, affordable childcare and early learning opportunities have better overall education, earn higher wages, and have improved health outcomes as adults. It’s as far upstream as we can go to improve the health and wellbeing of our community.”

    – Sarah Seppa

  • “Children who attend preschool are more likely to do well in school and parents need affordable care to work.”

    – Jason Shearer

  • “The data shows that there are many ways we can make changes to improve and support quality, accessible childcare and early learning in the WRV.”

    – Tricia Swartling

This report was made possible due to the Focus Grant awarded to Idaho AEYC by the Wood River Women’s Foundation.

Idaho AEYC Team and Partners

Beth Oppenheimer Idaho AEYC, Executive Director

Martin Balben Idaho AEYC, Learning Collaborative Project Director

Heather Lee Idaho AEYC, Learning Collaborative Assistant Director

Lauren Sogor Advocacy Communication Solutions, Senior Strategist

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