With so many days off school over the past few weeks due to the weather, the importance of childcare to our area’s working parents has become far more salient.
As the economies of Sanford and Lee County grow, the opportunities available to our residents expand. New jobs to fill. New customers to serve. New investments to make. But these opportunities take time to seize – time that, for many parents, may be in short supply. This presents many parents with a choice: to take advantage of the financial opportunities growth offers or to stay home with a child. Lee County has a comparatively high percentage of young children – 6% vs. North Carolina’s 5.6% or the nation’s 5.5% – making this a concern that impacts our community more acutely than most.
Childcare centers let parents have the best of both worlds, giving them the flexibility to engage economically while ensuring that their children receive the care they need. Childcare, then, is far more than a simple community amenity; it’s a key to freeing up a significant talent pool. As such, childcare becomes an economic development concern. Investment in childcare is a visible sign that a community is committed to maximizing opportunities for its residents while ensuring businesses have access to the labor they need to thrive.
Through this lens, SAGA is supportive of efforts to broaden childcare access in Sanford and Lee County. The county’s Child Care Subsidy Program helps ensure that some families who may otherwise have difficulty affording childcare can place their children in quality care while they work or attend training, giving them the chance to boost their economic productivity without sacrificing their child’s development. SAGA has also been involved in efforts to bring new childcare options to our community’s industrial areas. A childcare center placed alongside major employers doesn’t just provide convenience for employees; it’s a signal to those considering investment in Sanford and Lee County that we are serious about providing the necessary support infrastructure for their business to thrive long-term. Childcare may not be as visible and vital as electrical or water infrastructure, but it makes a difference when decisions about investment are made.
So, as Sanford and Lee County grow, our childcare capacity must grow along with it. This is, ultimately, a positive challenge; it means our area is both attracting and retaining young families and providing them with economic opportunities to take advantage of. If we can successfully expand childcare availability, it will be an important step for setting up working families and our community for future success.