It’s clearer now more than ever, childcare is a major challenge for millions of Americans across the country. It was a national challenge even before the pandemic completely disrupted life for working parents, employers, and local economies. It’s also evident that the lack of access to quality, affordable childcare is indeed a workforce issue.
The U.S. Chamber Foundation has continued to work with the business community to find solutions that meet working parents’ needs and effectively address the childcare crisis. A countless number of employers — big and small — have worked to find ways to alleviate some of the burdens working parents have faced in trying to find a sustainable childcare solution: allowing remote work, increasing flexibility of working hours, even providing on-site care.
This interview series aims to bring key stakeholders, early education experts, business leaders, and childcare providers to the table to discuss not only what can be done, but what solutions are already underway in filling the childcare gaps and deploying key investments in the support of working parents.
Public-Private Partnerships
On this episode of The Drumbeat, Aaron Merchen, director of policy and programs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is joined by Charles Aull, executive director of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, to discuss how childcare impacts the labor market in Kentucky, specific access and affordability concerns in the state, and solutions employers can explore.
The Cost of Childcare
http://youtu.be/SC_BNJaCI88
The national average yearly cost of childcare is over $10,000 a year — a major cost for many parents. However, the childcare sector is a complex and crucial part of the economy, providing safe and loving environments for our children.
In a conversation hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Mary Janssen, Regional Director of NE Iowa at Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral, shared insights on the cost of childcare and its impact on both working parents and organizations focused early childhood education.
(Excerpt from U.S. Chamber of Commerce On-Demand)
Quality Childcare
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, working parents struggled with access to affordable childcare. This has had a significant impact on working parents entering or remaining in the workforce. Another challenge families faced was finding quality childcare for their kids.
On this episode of The Drumbeat, Aaron Merchen, director of policy and programs, sat down with April Kimble, early childhood education specialist, to discuss the importance of quality when evaluating childcare solutions. Kimble discussed key indicators of quality like building a positive environment, licensing, basic education, and more.
Childcare Policy Outlook
There's one thing the majority of Americans can agree on, finding affordable, quality childcare is still a challenge. But now that the 118th Congress is set, where will childcare land as a priority? Working parents need solutions, and to understand what they can expect from their representatives in Washington.
On the latest episode of "The Drumbeat: Conversations on Early Childhood Education," Aaron Merchen, U.S. Chamber Foundation director of policy and programs, sat down with economist Abby McCloskey to discuss the state of early childhood education policy, what employers need to know about childcare solutions, and what we can expect moving forward with childcare policy in a divided government.
Childcare in Louisiana
On this episode of The Drumbeat, Aaron Merchen, senior director of policy and programs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is joined by Libbie Sonnier of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, and Timothy Magner of the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, to discuss the state of childcare in Louisiana and how partnerships with the business community is helping find childcare solutions in the state.
Childcare Providers Roundtable
On this episode of The Drumbeat, Aaron Merchen, senior director of policy and programs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is joined by Nicole Sohn of Journey Discovery Center in Spokane, WA, and Erica Van Horn of YMCA in Custer, South Dakota, for the first installment of the Childcare Providers Roundtable.