Joshua Warren’s Post

Young families are being forced to make life-changing housing decisions on availability of daycare, with experts warning ‘childcare deserts’ are turning some communities into ghost towns. Jay Weatherill from Minderoo Foundation’s Thrive by Five campaign warned it was not just an issue for parents but affects whole communities. “Early childhood education in Australia is in an affordability and accessibility crisis,” he said. “We hear stories of towns that can’t attract enough nurses, teachers and other essential workers because many of them have young kids, and there’s nowhere to send them to childcare or kinder. It’s turning some communities into ghost towns.” Research firm McCrindle head Mark McCrindle said they were seeing major change underway as more families’ home buying decisions were being influenced by childcare centres and preschools. “The location near a child care centre has significantly grown as a factor, particularly in the last few years,” he told News Corp Australia Network. “Cost of living is a factor, many of these households are two incomes and suddenly the care of the children is key. It’s becoming increasingly tricky for parents to find a regular spot or a full time spot in a childcare centre so that’s now coming into the factor of purchasing properties.” The trend is backed by findings of a Victoria University study naming areas where ‘childcare deserts’ and ‘oases’ had developed in 2022, with report co-author Mitchell Institute director Peter Hurley warning not much had changed since then. “The situation is pretty much the same. There are always new centres opening and closing but overall, where you live will still have a big impact on how much childcare is available.” Partially funded by Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s Minderoo Foundation, Mr Hurley said “childcare is vital for young families and not having it in certain towns and suburbs is going to impact any decision to live there”. “We understand how important access and quality is to families when it comes to schools and I think that increasingly it is the same with childcare.” Our CEO Georgie Dent said “availability of childcare and kinder is a huge factor for parents of young children when thinking about where to live, but for many families, the choices are extremely limited”. “The bulk of available places are concentrated in wealthier, urban areas, while many of the suburbs and towns where young families can afford to live are childcare deserts, with three or more families vying for every place.” Governments must intervene, she said, as “every child should be able to access early childhood education and care, regardless of their postcode”. You can find the full article here (PAYWALL): https://lnkd.in/gj6NMS9q

Parents for Childcare Calls for Action on Rural Childcare Crisis "Parents for Childcare" is urging local media outlets to amplify the voices of families in rural regions grappling with the devastating impacts of the childcare crisis. After attending a key conference at Queen’s Park on Nov 19, the organization is calling for urgent community support. As @AlexPrichard, a member of "Parents for Childcare," shared, "Imagine a town where we don’t even know how many kids are waiting for childcare. Our main center has only 57 spots, but 160 more kids are on the waiting list. Getting a call for a licensed daycare feels like winning the lottery." This situation, she added, isn’t just a childcare shortage—it's a "childcare wasteland." In a recent survey of 82 parents, mostly mothers, 95% reported high stress due to inadequate childcare. This lack of access forces many parents to miss job opportunities or leave the workforce altogether. It’s not just an affordability issue; it’s a denial of essential care. Prichard continued, "Nurses sacrifice sleep, and frantic messages fill group chats trying to coordinate care. Many of us rely on friends and family to make it through the day." The crisis is further compounded by the struggles of childcare educators, who are also calling for improved wages and working conditions. “Traditional market solutions have failed us. If they worked, towns like Parry Sound would be thriving. We need real solutions, not quick fixes,” Prichard emphasized. Recent coverage of the crisis includes: The Globe and Mail Discusses Ontario's Daycare Crisis  https://lnkd.in/eJ_mn-yb Global News on Demand for $10-a-Day Child Care https://lnkd.in/ev37AN66 CBC Coverage on Childcare Challenges https://lnkd.in/ev37AN66 CBC Coverage of Venture Capitalist Withdrawing from Program https://lnkd.in/eQRvdTJM @AlexPrichard coverage of the day https://lnkd.in/e2_qhSrb  We encourage local media to interview parents impacted by the crisis. Their stories will shed light on the urgent need for childcare solutions in rural areas. For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact us. Let’s work together to ensure every family has the childcare they deserve. #supportworkingparents #accessiblechildcare #ParentsforChildcare #affordablechildcare #qualitychildcare

It's back to school season, and we've reached an important developmental - and financial - milestone: no more daycare bills! I shudder to even think about (let alone publicly share) the cost of childcare over the past ~6 years, but I think its important to have a transparent discussion about how devastatingly unaffordable childcare is in the US. It's an absolute crisis. So, here goes: 2019: ~ $20,800 1 infant, born in June 2018. Both parents were LUCKY to have paid leave, which we staggered to cover the first 6 months of our sons life. After that, we were unable to find daycare in the Bay Area with openings for infants, so we joined a nanny share and had some support from my mom. 2020: ~$18,790 Nanny share continued until the world shut down in March. We had no formal childcare until July 2020 when daycare opened up and our son started daycare. Second child was born in August 2020 and both parents used paid leave for the first 6 months of her life. 2021: ~ $51,640 Older child was in full-day daycare, younger child was in a nanny share. This was the most expensive year, and probably prepares us for the joy that will one day be potentially having two kids in college. 2022: ~ $46,361 Older child started private pre-school in the fall, younger child was in full-day home daycare. 2023: ~ $34,643 Older child was in private pre-school, and started kindergarten in Fall 2023, we paid for YMCA Aftercare to cover our full work days. Younger child was in a combination of daycare/started preschool in the Fall. 2024: ~$15,845 Kindergarten/1st grade plus Aftercare for our son, summer camps, preschool then public pre-k (which is not yet universal in our state so we won a lottery system to receive it!) plus both before and after care since they are in two separate schools with different drop off pickup times - what fun! GRAND TOTAL: ~$167,279 😧 As absolutely staggering as this number is, obviously we are very privileged to be able to afford year-round childcare that supports two parents' careers. I want to emphasize that this was by no means the most high-end childcare - some of it was....really not ideal! At times, we were on waiting lists that were YEARS long just to be ABLE to pay this kind of money. It really opened my eyes to the crisis in this country, and how families with more limited means, no family support or no paid leave are unable to work and/or parent the way that's best for their families. And lastly, these expenses don't come to an end when children reach school age! There is still before/after care (~$550 a month for 2 kids), Enrichment Activities (~$400 per kid, per semester) and let's not forget summer camp (anywhere from ~$300-$600 per kid per week!). That all being said - spending money on childcare is extremely valuable to me because it has afforded me the ability to pursue my career and motherhood without having to choose between the two. We need to make it accessible, affordable and high-quality for all children.

One of the myths around #motherhood that continues to baffle me is the idea that putting them in daycare is *bad* Tell me if you've ever heard the judgmental question that’s asked if you *dare* to take a minute away from them: “Why did you have kids if you never want to be around them?” OOOH boy. LET'S TALK. This belief is deeply-rooted in the inner psyche, too. I hear mothers that say “As a working parent, I feel like I’m never around,” and “Oh, I don’t want to have someone else raise my kids,” or “My kid has the rest of her life to be in school, shouldn’t they they spend more time playing at home?” and "I want to be the one to raise them." There are so many mothers made to feel guilty for getting BASIC childcare support. I’m going to skip past the problematic roots of these statements and what they mean about women, gender, and belief systems for now. Instead, let's look at this like a math problem. THERE ARE 168 HOURS IN A WEEK. If I put my kid in daycare or any other form of childcare from 9am to 5:00pm on weekdays, that's 40 hours of childcare support. There are still 128 HOURS that remain in the week. I'm not forgoing my kids. I'm not "not parenting" them. I'm just getting a smidgeon of help in an ecosystem where community care and village support is GONE. Okay, the next fun fact: this 40 hours of support only happens in a perfect week. These 40 hours happen if—and only if(↔)—childcare is open every single day of every week of the year. That's very, very rare. Most daycares are not open every weekday. For some centers it’s not even close. And school-aged kids? Yeah, the math gets a little worse. Schools are only open ~180 days of the year. But, Sarah, aren't there are 260 weekdays in the year? What happens to the other 80 DAYS that the children are home and feral? We bridge the gap. We swap childcare with friends, sign up for day-camps, bring the kids to the parks, do a split-shift with a spouse if we can, and hope that we have grandparents alive/well/local/willing to help (not everyone has access to that, at all). So when people judge you for getting a LITTLE SUPPORT. Or tell you that you shouldn't "put your kids in daycare" because "you should raise them yourselves." Or if you've internalized this judgement towards yourself... I'll just say... I spend more time with my children in today's world of no villages and absymal childcare than most generations did in the past. I'm with my children all the time. They need other people than me. I need a break for my health and sanity. What we're living through is weird, strange, and not good. Go to daycare. Get a parent swap going. You deserve support. There is no reason to push harder ALONE because other people can't do basic math. Don't at me about sleep, either. Even if the kids sleep 11 hours a night @ 77 hours a week, there are stil 51+ hours of kid time. And sleep care is CARE. 128 HOURS A WEEK. If I was a lawyer, you'd call me dedicated. #workingparent

Grandpa paid to take care of the kids? 45 days for grandparents: the reality in Sweden. 🇸🇪 In the U.S., only 21% of new dads get an average of 17 days of paid leave. It makes me wonder: why so little focus on the bond between father and child? The first moments with a newborn are magical. For those who’ve experienced it, you know what I mean. For those who haven’t, think about a stray dog. You might not care much. But when it’s your dog? It’s your everything. The more you give, the more you get. So not enabling fathers to take time with their newborns, and taking care of the mom: what kind of society does it lead us to?  Time off builds connections. Dharing responsibilities Setting families up for success. Sweden gets it, and here's how they make it work: 1. Parents receive 480 days of paid parental leave. ↳ Time split equally between both parents ↳ One can transfer up to 45 days to a grandparent, relative, or close friend. 2. Single parents can transfer up to 90 days to a person they choose. ↳ Ensures both the child and parent are supported during the early stages of life. 3. Both parents are encouraged to use the leave. ↳ Sweden incentivizes both parents to take time off ↳ At least 90 days reserved exclusively for each parent, ensuring fathers engage in childcare. 4. Daycare and early childhood education widely available. ↳ High-quality, affordable daycare offered to all families after parental leave ends, creating a continuous support system for parents. In bonus, some more examples of countries leading the way in childcare - as well as elderly care: ☘️ Leading in Childcare ↳ Iceland: 12 months of paid leave, affordable daycare, universal early education. ↳ Finland: Universal daycare and home care allowance for parents to stay home until child is 3. 👩🏼🦳 Leading in Elder Care ↳ Japan: Elder daycare, comprehensive in-home care. ↳ Netherlands: Student-elderly co-housing, strong in-home support. And on the other side, unfortunately, the countries that could do much, much better: 📛 Lagging in Childcare ↳ USA: No national paid leave, only 21% of dads get paid leave, high childcare costs. ↳ India: High infant mortality, limited healthcare for newborns, no universal childcare. 👎🏼 Lagging in Elder Care ↳ USA: High costs, many elderly can’t afford nursing homes or in-home care. ↳ Russia: Overcrowded nursing homes, low pensions. How we care about the newborns, the new moms, the elderly defines our society. If we're not able to cater to them: what are we doing? And - if not for women around you, or for your newborn: think for yourself. How would I like to be taken care of later on? ♻️ Share to make change happen, and to make sure you're cared after when you'll need it. Follow me Helene Guillaume Pabis for your daily dose of inspiration: what can we do, today? As a manager, change your internal rules. Train your employees on money saving. Talk to your governments for change.

Kinship Care: Helping Grandfamilies Navigate the Childcare Maze At Glor Consultancy, we're passionate about supporting all families, including kinship caregivers – grandparents and other relatives who step up to raise their grandchildren. One of the biggest challenges these families face is finding reliable and affordable childcare. The Struggle is Real: Long Waitlists, High Costs A recent survey found that 56% of kin caregivers are in the workforce, facing the double burden of finding childcare while managing their careers. Sonya Begay, an adoptive parent of three grandchildren, poignantly describes the impact of limited childcare options: "[The cost] was outrageous... I had to bring my granddaughter to work and have her sit in my office. " (Source: [National Resource Center for Family Support, kinshipcare.org]) How You Can Help: Here are some insights on how we can collectively support kinship caregivers: Leveraging Lived Experience: Connect families with experienced kinship caregivers who can share information about local childcare centers, family daycare providers, and informal options like Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) care. Building Resource Networks: Collaborate with county childcare agencies to explore emergency options, financial assistance programs, and eligibility requirements. Connecting with National Resources: Guide families towards valuable online resources like ChildCare.gov and ChildCareAware.org that help locate childcare providers and support programs. Government Programs: A Helping Hand Fortunately, some government programs offer financial aid and early childhood education opportunities for kinship families: Head Start & Early Head Start: These free programs are available for children aged 3-5 and 6 weeks to 2 years, respectively, depending on family income and public assistance programs utilized. State Subsidies: Many states offer financial assistance for childcare, especially for families involved in the foster care system. Public Preschool: Some states offer free public preschool to 3- and 4-year-olds. Beyond Financial Aid: Additional Support Scholarships: Explore scholarship opportunities for after-school programs, summer camps, and enrichment activities for school-aged children. Free Recreational Options: Encourage families to explore local recreational programs offered by municipalities, the YMCA, and Boys & Girls Clubs. Together, We Can Make a Difference Finding high-quality, affordable childcare is a challenge for many families. By raising awareness of kinship care needs, building connections with local resources, and advocating for policy changes, we can create a more supportive network for kinship caregivers who are raising the next generation. Was this resource helpful? Let us know in the comments below! We at Glor Consultancy are committed to providing resources and support for families of all kinds. Let's build a brighter future for our children, together.

Among 30 million orphans, only 3,70,000 are in childcare institution. With 1.35 billion inhabitants, India is the country with the second-largest population in the world. Approximately 158.8 million people are under the age of six in the population. Thirty million of these kids are orphans, accounting for a sizeable share of the young population. Just 370,000 of the 30 million children are enrolled in daycare centres. India has a large number of orphans as a result of several national problems. In a 2016–17 research, the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) discovered that there are 9,589 orphanages (CCI). Just 9% of these receive support from the government, as 91% of them are non-governmental. A large number of children in India are left orphaned due to their parents' inability to support them or their decision to flee a hazardous circumstance. According to the International Learning Movement (ILM), a large number of parents choose to forsake their children rather than making an effort to care for them, with over half of the population living in poverty. A child must be in an orphanage or adoptive home in India in order to be eligible for adoption. The youngster is now considered to be "legally free for adoption." Even worse, according to DW, 91% of orphanages that are not directly managed by the government are not associated with adoption agencies, rendering them essentially unnoticeable to the general public. The process of adoption can be challenging and demoralising for those who are considering parenthood. According to DW, in a report, prospective parents express dissatisfaction with "a lack of support from services while applying for adoption." Prospective parents must contend with a "lack of information and transparency from the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)" as well as frequent "delays and uncertainty of referrals." How dangerous it is to be an orphanage!   Millions of orphans in India are left to fend for themselves on the streets, where they are vulnerable to several threats. The most harmful kind is trafficking since it targets unprotected minors for exploitation. Although the orphans who wander the streets are shielded from the law, they are defenceless because there is no physical force to keep them safe. Report for 2022 states that 59% of the trafficked victims in India were female, while 47% of the trafficked individuals were minors. Of the girls, 27% are married before turning 18, and they are typically sold as child brides. “Bhakshak” movie is eye opener. Leadership to women who is under impression of her husband will not bring a change in nation. Stop giving money to beggars and for drastic change a wealthy person should donate in population control and education to these children.  We need an attention of entrepreneurs for it. CSR activities should be conducted wisely. Narendra Modi Gautam Adani Mukesh Ambani Bill Gates Shark Tank India Sony BBC News #india #news #population

Let's do some US childcare crisis math 🤔: A few days ago, a recruiter contacted me about a position that was fully onsite and paid $27 per hour. That's $27 pre-tax dollars, which in my state will end up being a little closer to $23 after taxes, rounded up. The role was a contractor position, so no health insurance or benefits included. Fully onsite means that a mama of two will need childcare for two. Here's what that would cost in my area: 🖊 Minimum $30 per hour for a nanny for two children. 🖊 Or, on average, $2,800 per child per month for a pretty average daycare on a full-time schedule. Now, let's do the math 🧮: 💰 40 hours/week × $23 × 4 weeks = $3,680 take-home pay 💰 40 hours for a nanny = $4,800/month 💰 2 kids in full-time daycare = $5,600/month You're right, the math isn't mathing here. In order to work such a role, I'd literally have to pay to go to work. 😳 Now, of course there are higher paying roles, too, but even at $70 per hour, 50% of your take-home pay will go to childcare. Yikes. Now, I know some people do this because they say the growth they get from staying in a career will outweigh the money they spend on childcare. I respectfully disagree. 🙅♀️ Not only is it nonsensical to pay someone else more money to take care of your children than you make, it has long-term effects on the mother, children, and family dynamics as a whole. Career breaks need to be normalized. 💡 Being able to invest time in actual mothering (it's a verb; it's something you *do*) needs to be enabled. Once moms are ready to take up full-time roles again, there need to be way more options for: ✨ Flexible work ✨ Subsidized childcare ✨ Higher salaries ✨ Or a combination of all the above, so that mothers can pick up their careers without being driven into financial ruin. 💔 For more interesting facts and data about how much the childcare conundrum costs the economy—and how it's "disrupting the lives of children, extended families, and coworkers"—check out the KPMG US article below. ****************************************************************** If we haven't met yet, hi, I'm Julia! 👋 I'm passionate about working motherhood and international career development.   🆘 Want to “pick” my brain? I offer 45-minute clarity calls to troubleshoot your most pressing career development and/or working motherhood issue. Book here: https://lnkd.in/eE83zx-d   🔔 🔄 Follow along or share to create more awareness about mother's career and leadership challenges.

Requirements to Work in a Child Care Center: 1. Education & Certification: High School Diploma or GED: Most child care centers require at least a high school diploma. Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential: This is often required or preferred. It demonstrates a strong understanding of childcare practices. Degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE): Some positions may require or prefer an associate or bachelor’s degree in ECE or a related field. First Aid and CPR Certification: Many centers require staff to be certified in first aid and infant/child CPR. 2. Background Check: A criminal background check and fingerprinting are often required to ensure the safety of children. 3. Experience: Some centers may require previous experience working with children, either through babysitting, volunteering or previous employment in a childcare setting. 4. Health Requirements: Proof of immunizations and possibly a physical exam to ensure fitness to work with children. 5. Soft Skills: Patience, communication, and empathy. Ability to manage challenging behaviors. Strong organizational skills. --- Advantages of Working in a Child Care Center: 1. Fulfilling Work: Working with children can be incredibly rewarding as you are helping them grow and learn. 2. Skill Development: It helps improve skills like communication, problem-solving, and time management. 3. Consistent Schedule: Many child care centers offer consistent weekday hours, often with weekends off. 4. Opportunities for Advancement: With experience and further education, there are opportunities to advance into supervisory or administrative roles. 5. Supportive Work Environment: Many child care centers foster a collaborative environment with a focus on teamwork. 6. Work with Different Age Groups: You may have the opportunity to work with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, depending on the center’s setup. --- Disadvantages of Working in a Child Care Center: 1. Low Pay: Childcare positions often offer relatively low wages, especially for entry-level positions. 2. Physically Demanding: The job can be physically exhausting, involving lifting, carrying, and being on your feet for long periods. 3. High Responsibility: The safety and well-being of the children are in your hands, which can be stressful. 4. Burnout: Managing large groups of young children can lead to emotional and physical exhaustion over time. 5. Lack of Benefits: Some childcare centers do not offer full benefits like health insurance, especially for part-time workers. 6. Exposure to Illness: Working with children increases the likelihood of being exposed to illnesses like colds, flu, etc. Working in a child care center can be highly rewarding but also comes with challenges, particularly in terms of physical and emotional demands. #childcarecenter #job #work #hiring #jobhunting #jobsearch #hiringnow #jobs #jobpost #usa #uppermichigan #childcareassistant

Importance of Child Day Care at Workplace In today's world, when parents are forced to work more to keep up the pace with increasing inflation, daycare is a necessity at their workplace. A working mother has to face multiple challenges between her on-job duties and her children. The availability of daycare centres at workplace can positively impact employee productivity, work efficiency, and retention. There are studies and research that highlight the positive impact of having a child daycare facility at the workplace. Let’s see how: Child Daycare at Workplace Increases Job Satisfaction: Having a childcare facility at workplace reduces the mental stress towards their children's well-being. Accessibility at any time of the day makes parents feel comfortable as it eliminates the need to rush between work and external childcare facilities, improves commuting time, and minimises parental concerns. A study in Applied Psychology found that employees with access to on-site childcare have higher levels of job satisfaction compared to others. This satisfaction leads towards less turnover, reduced absenteeism, increased productivity, higher efficiency and work loyalty. Plays an Important Role in Women Empowerment: Mother is a basic need of a child and for a mother, nothing is more important than her child. It is a renowned fact that women often face challenges in balancing their work and family responsibilities, and many make the hard decision to leave their jobs after becoming mothers. Women, who have access to reliable child care are better equipped to focus on their career goals. Organisations can remove a substantial barrier that usually prevents women from rising in their careers by providing on-site or nearby childcare facilities. When women have access to high-quality childcare, they are more likely to stay involved and dedicated to their profession. It Attracts Top Talent In today’s competitive market where employees have multiple job options and employers are dealing with the high turnovers and inconsistency of employees, a daycare facility can make a business stand out among competitors. Businesses can set themselves apart and make it self-distinguish among competitors as employers of choice by offering on-site child care. Prospective employees, particularly working parents, are more likely to be attracted to companies that value work-life balance and provide all-encompassing childcare help. In conclusion, we can say that child daycare is now not only a facility it is becoming an essential for present and future. Job is no more a work of choice for females, it is a need of time. It is the duty of parents to work together for the betterment of their kids' future and the availability of on-site daycare can help them a lot in fulfilling their responsibilities. #childcare #daycare #workingmothers #worklifebalance #bestworkplaces #womenempowerment #employeesatisfaction #globaltrends