Who will take care of the kids? Rural families navigate child care deserts

Описание: Families in rural areas of New York say it is increasingly difficult to find child care. According to a report from the Children's Agenda, seven rural counties in Western New York shows can be characterized as child care deserts, where there are more than three children under the age of five per licensed child care slot for children in that age group. Structural and funding issues are contributing to the challenges, and providers point to low child care educator pay as a critical factor in the availability of reliable care. So what can be done? Our guests discuss it.
Our guests:

•Pete Nabozny, director of policy for The Children's Agenda
•Rachel Bonsignore, executive director of Liftoff Western New York
•Kathleen Valley, executive board member for Praising Kids Child Care Center
•Taryn Moyle, child care resource center program manager for Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, Inc.
•Lindsey Dailey, parent

00:00 Introduction
04:55 Why the report was written
07:20 Rural funding disparities
08:42 Childcare deserts and provider challenges
10:23 Realities for providers in Orleans County
12:02 How families manage without childcare
13:54 Low wages and staffing shortages
17:12 Supporting providers and families
18:36 Effects on children lacking care
21:00 The cost paradox
23:42 Universal childcare and educator value
26:49 Economic impact on rural communities
29:26 How local economies affect access
30:12 Parent perspective on rural childcare
33:17 Costs, gaps, and waitlists
40:15 National policy and expectations
44:21 Childcare as community infrastructure
48:19 Funding childcare like public education
53:09 Paths forward for families and providers

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