The Early Childhood Learning (ECL) Committee is making progress as they investigate the issue of childcare in Clarion and central Wright County. The availability and affordability of childcare has become a major concern not only in this area in recent years, but across Iowa and the entire country.
On May 4, the ECL committee met with Dan Levi, a childcare expert from Black Hawk County and several stakeholders representing Clarion and Wright County businesses and institutions. Committee member Beth Severson noted that immediately after the meeting, Levi took a tour of Clarion with Kids Korner Board President Tony Miller and her to review all possible sites available for a new center or to remodel an existing building.
Miller and Levi have been working together to come up with a proforma and business plan for what a childcare scenario might look like for our community. They are using data from the study done last year and projections using numbers for age demographics, and other pertinent information Kids Korner can provide.
Levi hopes to be able to present his findings to the committee later in June. This would include a business plan and some financial breakdowns of how the center would be able to be financially independent and accomplish the goals of the community. Severson noted that the legislature has also approved some funding which will assist the lower income families with daycare.
As they continue their research and planning, the committee is also inviting people in the area with small children to participate in a childcare survey. The purpose of the study is to understand factors of childcare availability, decisions, and needs in the community and Wright County. This survey is completely anonymous. Responses will be shared with the community and stakeholders but with complete anonymity.
Childcare survey:
In English: https://forms.gle/ASemY4NuYHhiR17Q6
In Spanish: https://forms.gle/5z1igXTZ9hUWvcCi6
