BRATTLEBORO — Windham Child Care Association is spearheading a new child care needs assessment study for Windham County.
The last report, published in 2002, provided important information for businesses, town officials, and other community members on the need for quality, affordable child care. This study will provide important information that will help community stakeholders and partners understand the need for, and impacts of, child care services in the community.
Four key elements of this child care needs assessment study have been identified: create an accurate picture of the supply of child care in this region; identify unmet needs for child care; identify available child care services for non-traditional child care and special-needs children; and gather data on available funding sources for child care programs.
The Association has undertaken the first phase. Surveys are being distributed and data is being collected, with input sought from working parents, employers, child care providers and community partners. This phase is expected to be completed by the end of the calendar year.
Phase two will begin Jan. 2013, consisting of a series of three focus groups. The end date for this phase will be March. The Association says it expects to publish its report in September.
According to the WCCA, this project's success depends on the quality and quantity of responses collected, and from input received through focus groups.
The WCCA encourages employers and child care providers to complete these brief surveys at www.windhamchildcare.org. Community members interested in participating in the focus groups in early 2013 are encouraged to contact the organization.
The community's contribution will greatly help Windham Child Care Association in creating a comprehensive picture of child care in Windham County. For more information, contact WCCA Executive Director Elizabeth Raposa at 802-254-5332, ext. 311, or [email protected]g.