Rock Rapids Child Care Study to be Conducted
Press Release – November 7, 2024
Rock Rapids Kids Club, in partnership with the City of Rock Rapids, Rock Rapids Utilities and Rock Rapids Area Development Foundation, has contracted with First Children’s Finance (FCF) to complete a child care market analysis, which will focus on the needs of local families and children, the current supply of regulated child care, parents’ current and preferred child care choices, effects on employers caused by lack of child care, and child care providers’ challenges operating. The report will include the key findings of the research and analysis, including a child care gap analysis quantifying how many children in the Rock Rapids area that are likely to need child care versus the number of regulated child care spaces available.
Part of the research being conducted by FCF includes three surveys to gain insight from local employers, parents, and child care providers. Employers will be asked questions related to how child care impacts employee performance and time loss, and what supports related to child care they would be willing to provide to their employees in the future. The parent survey focuses on learning from working parents, as well as those who are not working due to child care challenges. Questions are focused on the challenges families face today and what will meet their future child care needs. The parent survey is designed for those that have children and are currently using or want to use child care in Rock Rapids, regardless of where they live. Child care providers are asked about challenges they face today and how the community could better support child care providers. All three surveys will be accessible online starting in mid-November. Watch the Rock Rapids Kids Club and Rock Rapids Chamber of Commerce Facebook pages for details.
As stated by Micah Freese, Executive Director of Rock Rapids Development Corporation:
“Kids Club’s goal of a future expansion would have a significant positive impact on the local economy. By increasing their capacity, they can accommodate more working families, enabling parents to re-enter the workforce or work longer hours. This influx of workers boosts the local economy through increased consumer spending and tax revenue. Additionally, the daycare’s expansion would create new job opportunities for childcare providers, contributing to the community’s overall employment rate.”
This study was made possible in part through a Rural Child Care Planning grant received by Rock Rapids Kids Club through the Empower Rural Iowa initiative, a program administered by the Center for Rural Revitalization, a division of Iowa Economic Development Authority. Matching funds for this project are provided by the City of Rock Rapids, Rock Rapids Utilities, and Rock Rapids Area Development Foundation.
If you have questions or would like more information about this project, email Ashley Ahrendt, Executive Director of Rock Rapids Kids Club. Or, call Ashley at 712-472-2686.
