The Chaffee County Early Childhood Council has announced its second-annual Chaffee County Child Care Survey is now available online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CCECC2019.The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and will be up through April 30.
The purpose of the survey is to monitor and support the childcare needs of local families. The Chaffee County Early Childhood Council is encouraging Chaffee County parents with young children (ages infant through 5 years old) to take the survey which asks questions about their childcare needs, their experience seeking suitable care and their interest in providing childcare for others.
Safe and affordable childcare is a critical need for working families across the county. Council Coordinator Janine Pryor said the 2018 survey results demonstrated that parents with young children face considerable challenges finding quality, affordable childcare in Chaffee County and that this is cause for concern for the entire community.
“A total of 65 percent of Buena Vista parents and 73 percent from Salida reported that a lack of childcare is causing them to consider quitting their jobs or moving from the area, and 64 percent report that a lack of childcare makes it difficult for them to get and keep employment,” said Pryor.
The Council uses survey results to direct its work for the maximum benefit, including recruiting and supporting legally exempt (unlicensed) home childcare, new licensed homes and centers, and expanding care at existing sites, especially those serving infants and toddlers.
In 2018 a total of 143 parents took the survey and the Council hopes to increase that total to 200 this year.
“This is an issue not only for parents but all Chaffee County residents,” continued Pryor. “To remain competitive in the 21st-century global economy, Chaffee County must recognize the value of childcare and early childhood education as a support system for working families.”
Chaffee County Early Childhood Council is a group of local agencies and individuals, including parents and professionals in the areas of health, mental health, childcare and education working together to support Chaffee County’s parents and caregivers. Their mission is to build a comprehensive, sustainable system of local services so that all Chaffee County children have the support they need to start school ready to learn.
Established in 2007 with funding from a multi-year grant through the Colorado Department of Education, the Council is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. More information is available at www.ccecc.org.
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