The Marion County Development Commission and the Pella Area Community & Economic Alliance are asking parents, legal guardians and future parents to give insight on both their current and future childcare needs in Marion County.
Executive Director of Marion County Development Commission Carla Eysink tells KNIA/KRLS News to better understand current needs, the organizations, along with several community partners are working with First Children’s Finance to study the supply and demand for child care in Marion County. Eysink says a component of the research is to gain input from parents that live or work in Marion County, that have children age 12 or younger.
“Our children are one of our most valuable resources for the future of Marion County. When meeting with prime employers in 2017, child care was rated as one of the lowest assets in our communities. Most felt our current providers do a great job, but that we were lacking in number of spaces and certain types of child care,” explained Carla Eysink, MCDC Executive Director. “The study will provide us not only data, but a plan to address both opportunities and issues.”
Through an online survey, parents have an opportunity to share any challenges they may have experienced in finding child care, their preferences for child care, how child care affects their job, or if child care is keeping them from working.
Local child care providers and employers will also be asked to give input as well. All three surveys can be accessed through the marioncountyiowa.com website until October 15.