1. Affordable childcare is in short supply and great demand: There is an incredible need for more childcare and preschool options, especially in the south valley. Altogether, the 13 daycare and early-learning providers surveyed cared for 300 kids and had a collective 90 kids on their waitlists. Yet, families are struggling to afford to send their kids to licensed daycares and preschools in the valley. Most families can’t pay more than $30 per day per child, or about $600 per month.
2. The childcare provider business model is unsustainable: More than four out of five early-childhood care providers said they were interested in expanding their facilities, but are struggling financially. Most said they couldn’t lower their rates or extend their hours due to staffing shortages and high overhead costs. Of the daycare and pre-K providers surveyed, most said they can’t make a profit unless they charge at least $40 per child per day, or $800 to $1,440 per child per month. Only two said they charged $800 per month, and none offered a sliding scale.
3. The Valley lacks childcare during untraditional hours: Even parents that can afford quality early-childhood care reported needing childcare beyond the standard weekday hours. More than a third of parents surveyed said they needed childcare before 8 am, after 5 p.m. or both on weekdays. The problem: very few daycares and preschools offer non-traditional hours. Only two providers said they offered off-hours care on weekdays, and none of the providers offered weekend hours.
4. Inaccessibility of affordable childcare impedes workforce availability: Despite wanting to apply for jobs or return to work, qualified workers are staying home to care for their children—and employers, including childcare centers, are suffering as a result. Nearly seven out of ten parents said they would return to work outside the home if they could find affordable, high-quality childcare, and two out of ten parents said they would consider it. The good news is that most businesses surveyed—88%—agreed that quality, affordable early childhood education results in more focused and less stressed employees. Nearly one in five employers said they were willing to help their employees access childcare by providing financial assistance.
5. Informal childcare can provide quality early learning experiences, but caregivers often lack support. Fewer than half of Blaine County’s children are in the care of licensed preschools or childcare centers (46%), and more than half are in informal care settings—in the care of grandparents and other relatives, babysitters or nannies. While this informal “family, friend and neighbor” care can be more accessible and culturally accommodating, it’s important that caregivers foster skills associated with kindergarten readiness. The current reality is that a third of kindergarteners in Blaine County lack foundational, grade-appropriate reading skills, putting them at a disadvantage compared to their peers. “If I could frame a perfect vision … five-year-olds entering kindergarten will walk in ready to be a part of the school community,” BCSD Superintendent Jim Foudy said.

The WRELC collaborative was formed with the help of WRWF’s first-ever Focus Grant to the Boise-based Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children.

Nearly 70% of surveyed stay-at-home parents would return to the workforce if they had affordable, quality childcare. 36% need care before 8 am and/or after 5 pm on weekdays; 12% need care options on weekends.

“There is little in the way of care options for families before 8 am and after 5 pm, even though many jobs in the valley do not fit the 9-to-5 schedule,” said Kathryn Ivers, the project lead for the Wood River Valley Collaborative.

“The needs assessment identifies opportunities to increase access,” said Louisa Moats, WRWF member. It will be used to formulate a strategic plan to increase access for Blaine County families.

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