Chamber Foundation continues work to improve local child care access

Access to affordable, quality child care has become a key factor in an area’s economic health. A lack of centers leaves workers, especially mothers, struggling to make shifts, while children are ill-prepared to enter school. 

The early learning and child care industry, however, faces nationwide challenges as the cost of operating such centers makes tuition too high for many families while low wages force child care workers to find other employment. Data shows that Georgia faces a $2.52 billion annual economic loss due to child care struggles and eight out of 10 parents report missed shifts or reduced hours, which means fewer wages, because of child care struggles.  

Increasing access to child care has become a top priority for the Dublin-Laurens County Chamber of Commerce and its non-profit wing, the Chamber Community Foundation. The business advocate group has devoted much time to helping local child care centers maintain licenses and earn higher quality ratings from the state, and even find sponsorships to fund projects and upgrades. 

Georgia uses a three-star rating system. One means the facility met basic requirements; additional star ratings are awarded based on if a facility employs certified teachers, offers individualized instruction and a curriculum that prepares children for kindergarten and provide social-emotional development opportunities. 

“One of their major initiatives has been to improve the child care scene in Laurens County,” said Valerie Dixon, with the UGA Archway Partnership. Child care access has been named a priority for the partnership, which pairs communities across the state with university resources. “It’s still an area we’re trying to work on.” 

Data compiled by a UGA researcher shows that Laurens County has a deficit when it comes to available seats in child care facilities. There are about 3,000 children under 5 years old in the area and just over 1,000 available seats in licensed centers. Of those only about 880 seats are taken. 

And those seats come with a hefty price tag. The median household income in Laurens County is about $49,700, well below the state average of $74,600. The annual cost of care can top $6,000 per child. 

The Chamber Community Foundation has partnered with Georgia Public Broadcasting to shine a light on the struggles of parents and childcare centers. The pair will host a screening of the documentary “Make a Circle,” which documents teachers who work to change how society views child care, and hear from a panel of experts and community members on efforts to improve access. 

Panelists include members of the Chamber Community Foundation, speaking on its efforts; a UGA professor who has researched the industry; and local accountants and bankers, who will discuss childcare tax credits. 

The event is set for April 29, at 11:30 a.m., at the McGrath Keen Conference Center. For registration information visit www.gbp.org/events.