WATERTOWN, S.D.(Press Release)- At last week’s Codington County Commissioner meeting, Sara Foust, the Codington County Community Service Director, shed light on the pressing issue of childcare in the community. With working parents struggling to find affordable and accessible childcare options, the county faces a significant challenge.

Foust explains more to the Commissioners.

Foust shares some statistics.

According to data from the 2023 Kids Count report, Codington County has 961 regulated slots for children under the age of 6 and 495 regulated slots for school-age children. However, the estimated need far exceeds the available supply, with approximately a 40% gap in covering childcare needs.

Here’s a closer look:

1. Working Families:Approximately 80.8% of children under 6 and 88.2% of school-age children in Codington County come from working families. These families rely on childcare services to balance work and family life.
2. Supply vs. Demand:The gap between supply and potential need is staggering. To meet the estimated need for children under 6, the county must create or maintain almost 600 additional slots. For ages 6 to 13, an additional 2800 slots are necessary.
3. Home-Based Providers:While 99 home-based childcare businesses are in the county, their capacity remains unknown due to a lack of regulation. Understanding their potential contribution is crucial.

Foust highlighted three potential solutions:

1. Mother of God Monastery: Little Blessings will be “transferring” to a 14,000-square-foot facility that is “underutilized” at Harmony Hill.
2. Lake Area Tech Educare:Another option involves collaborating with Lake Area Tech to create a childcare center serving students and community members.
3. Roosevelt Center:The third proposal utilizes the former Roosevelt Elementary School. By repurposing this space, the county could provide much-needed childcare services.

The total cost for all three projects could range from three to four million dollars. While the Beyond Idea Grant covers some expenses, additional funding is necessary. Businesses recognizing the importance of childcare for their workforce could play a pivotal role.

High childcare costs force some parents to choose between work and staying home. The ideal model suggests allocating about 3% of income to childcare, but the reality often exceeds this figure. Families pay as much for childcare as they do for housing, creating financial strain.

Commissioners are exploring ways to support childcare initiatives. Commissioner Troy VanDusen comments on the potential negative outcome if the issues continue.

Codington County faces a childcare crisis, but the groups feel they can bridge the gap with collaborative efforts, creative solutions, and community support.