Work With Your Community

State and local Chambers of Commerce can be a crucial ally in understanding community needs, identifying potential partnerships, and serving as a facilitator to bring different community stakeholders together to find child care solutions. Engaging with the Chamber can lead to a more unified and strategic approach to improving child care access, benefiting both local businesses and families. This collaboration can also foster a stronger local economy by ensuring that parents have reliable child care options, allowing them to remain productive in the workforce.

Connect with local early childhood stakeholders to understand workforce development needs and opportunities to invest in pipelines for development. Investing in the career development and training of child care providers enhances the quality of care available in the community. It ensures that providers are well-equipped with the latest knowledge and skills to offer high-quality early childhood education. Increased training leads to a higher number of qualified child care providers, which can reduce the child care desert phenomenon. This investment not only supports current providers but also attracts new individuals to the profession, creating a sustainable child care ecosystem.

Providing spaces such as meeting rooms, play areas, or unused office space for child care purposes or community events can be a valuable resource. These facilities can host child care services, parent support groups, training sessions, and other community-focused activities. By making facilities available, businesses can help meet immediate community needs and build a sense of community ownership and collaboration. This support can bridge gaps in child care availability and offer families more convenient and affordable options.

Schools often face challenges in extending their care beyond regular school hours. Partnering with local schools to provide before- and after-school programs ensures that children have a safe and engaging environment while their parents are at work. This partnership supports working parents by providing reliable care options, reducing the stress and logistical challenges of finding care. It also enriches children’s learning experiences through additional educational and recreational activities.

Renovating or repurposing community spaces to accommodate child care programs or play areas can significantly increase the availability of quality child care services. Partner with local child care stakeholders to understand the needs in the child care community and determine how your organization might contribute. This can include updating safety features, creating engaging play environments, and ensuring facilities meet health and educational standards. Improved and expanded child care facilities enhance the overall quality of life in the community, making it a more attractive place for families to live and work. This can lead to stronger community ties and increased local investment.

Offering or funding summer camps provides children with structured activities and learning opportunities during school vacations. These programs can focus on a variety of interests, from STEM to arts and sports, and can be tailored to different age groups. Summer camps support working parents by providing dependable care during the summer months. They also contribute to children's social, emotional, and cognitive development, fostering a well-rounded community of young learners.

Providing transportation services to and from child care programs, schools, and community programs can alleviate one of the significant barriers to accessing child care. Reliable transportation ensures that children can safely and consistently attend care programs. This service increases the accessibility of child care and educational opportunities, particularly for families who might otherwise struggle with transportation logistics. It promotes equitable access to child care services across socioeconomic groups within the community.