This story was originally published by The 19th.
Child care is a significant issue affecting small businesses across the country, as highlighted by Dawn Kelly, owner of The Nourish Spot in Queens and Brooklyn. Kelly has witnessed the challenges of staff leaving due to inadequate child care options, whether it be high costs or lack of quality care. These challenges have impacted her business’s ability to hire, highlighting the need for improved child care solutions.
In a recent survey conducted by Goldman Sachs, over a third of small business owners shared that the absence of accessible child care is hindering their operations and expansion. The survey revealed the struggles faced by entrepreneurs in finding high-quality and affordable child care options in their communities.
With the cost of child care steadily rising, many small business owners are advocating for government support to enhance child care options. Owners emphasize the importance of federal funding for child care, with past polls demonstrating bipartisan support for increased investment in this area.
Business partnerships, such as those between child care centers and other establishments, offer innovative solutions to address the child care dilemma. These collaborations not only benefit employees but also contribute to the overall economic growth by enabling businesses to thrive.
The Child Care Investment Act, a bipartisan bill proposed to expand the child care tax credit, aims to provide crucial support to businesses seeking to offer child care benefits. By modernizing existing policies and incentivizing small business participation in child care initiatives, the legislation paves the way for a more inclusive and supportive workforce environment.
Recognizing the economic impact of child care challenges, it is imperative for policymakers and candidates to prioritize this issue. Small business owners, like Kelly, are calling for broader discussions and tangible solutions to ensure that families have access to quality child care, setting the foundation for a brighter future for all.
