W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Post

Child care is not just a family issue; it's a business imperative. Employers play a vital role in supporting their workforce by providing access to quality child care. At Colorado EPIC, we believe that when employers invest in child care solutions, they not only support working parents but also boost productivity, reduce absenteeism, and attract top talent. Explore how employers can make a significant impact on the well-being of their employees and their children, and learn about innovative strategies that can be implemented in your organization. Let's work together to create a more supportive and thriving workforce. coloradoepic.org #ChildCare #WorkforceSupport #EmployerResponsibility #ColoradoEPIC #FamilyFriendlyWorkplace #BusinessImpact

There’s so much focus on expanding access to early education and childcare places. But the sector has been struggling to recruit and (crucially) to retain the brilliant, committed professionals to educate, nurture and support our children. It’s brilliant that the new Labour government have recognised the need for a new workforce strategy. In the session below we’ll hear from some key folks about what they think that strategy must contain. Come along and join the discussion to let us know what you think it should include 👇👇👇👇 #educators #earlyyears #retention #childcare #workforce

CHILDCARE CRISIS “The sector is completely flailing right now,” said state Senator Jabari Brisport, who chairs the chamber’s Committee on Children and Families and has proposed that the state fund universal childcare. Twelve percent of New York childcare workers live below the federal poverty level, compared to 5 percent of all workers in the state. The industry’s median wage is just over $32,900, making for some of the lowest paid workers in the state. “You expect us to be able to hire staff, keep them here, and have them want to be here — because they’re getting what exactly as a reward? It’s not money,” said Vargas, “because we can’t compete with anyone else. It’s hard for us to be able to stay in the market.” The industry was already shedding workers when the federal funding cliff hit. According to The Century Foundation’s analysis of federal data, employment in New York’s childcare industry fell by 32 percent between 2019 and 2023. (That data excludes preschool teachers and teaching assistants.) “In other sectors, like retail and food services, wages have gone up,” said Julie Kashen, the director for women’s economic justice at The Century Foundation and the report’s lead author. “Even if they train, and love working with children, people can make more money selling coffee, so they are leaving the childcare sector to do that. That means that eventually programs are going to shut down.” #childcarematters New York Child Care Providers Are Bleeding Workers | New York Focus (nysfocus.com)

In realizing the crucial impact of teamwork, friendships, and external influences on both business owners and employees, it becomes evident that trust and compassion are fundamental for success. Dismissing the notion of replaceability, it's essential to foster resilience and unity through shared challenges especially in childcare services. Loyalty, honesty, empathy, and compassion serve as universal values bridging perspectives of employers and employees. When trust erodes, employees feel undervalued, prompting a cycle of disengagement and resource drain. However, embracing adaptable, passionate individuals fosters high-performing teams. Recognizing workplaces that offer intangible benefits beyond compensation, and working with heart, transforms businesses into supportive communities where every voice matters. #ECEC #CHILDCAREPROVIDERS #CHILDCARELEADERSHIP #CHILDCAREOPERATIONS #CHILDCAREJOBS #CHILDCAREEDUCATORSJOBS #retainingstaff

Kitchen-table calculations lead many Michigan families to turn down promotions, new jobs or better pay. The reasons are complicated, and the negative effects are widespread: families stuck in poverty, employers struggling to upskill workers and fill critical positions, slower economic growth. See how CEO-led initiatives of TalentFirst are driving solutions and partnerships to minimize the harm of the benefits cliff. https://lnkd.in/ecQxzFSJ

I want to express my gratitude for your patience in providing the slides for our informative discussion during last month's Manager Monthly Meetup on Workforce plans The regulations clearly state that the registered person should have a workforce plan that fulfils the workforce-related requirements and maintains good employment practices. It is the registered person’s responsibility to ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child, that staff have the experience, qualifications, and skills to meet the needs of each child, and that they make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. We provided a comparison of how often the term “workforce plan” appears in the Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations 2023. Rebecca H. kindly shared her template, which she used for a new children's home. Please note this is just an example. We are not saying this is the best example ever and should be used. You should always refer to the regulations and guidance, but it does create food for thought to see other templates used!🌟 #Workforce #Regulations #Childcare Valerie Tulloch Children's Homes Quality Eithne Staunton

A Healthy Workforce starts with Healthy Families. We know parenting is one of life’s hardest jobs. When caregivers face a crisis situation or are unsure of how to appropriately respond to their child, it can lead to decision paralysis in all areas of life, including their careers. SCAN is here to help. Through a variety of programs designed to connect families to community resources and pair caregivers with experienced mentors, SCAN can help your workforce navigate back to stability so we can all enjoy the safety and security of living in a community that promotes safe childhoods and a thriving workforce. You can learn about the ways that SCAN assists with Workforce Development by going to https://lnkd.in/eh6pvFUD

When it's time for organizations to renew their B Corp Certification, 63% increased their impact score. So we're in good company. If you ask us about B Corp, we'll tell you how proud of our recent accomplishments like: ✅ Being invited and attending BLab's racial impact improvement pilot ✅ Increasing our paid parental leave for both parents But we'll get even more excited when we tell you what we are working on to keep progressing—even after we get re-certified. For example, Amanda Breen is championing new ways to improve the percentage of dollars spent with diverse or local vendors. Supporting our local community of businesses and vendors is so important to us, and the investment always pays off. We always look for new ways to grow our impact. #BCorpMonth #BCorp

What happens when teams of colleagues learn together about how to use their power and leadership differently, and jointly put this into practice? What difference does it make to patients and citizens? Come and find out at #NWFoL! #systemsleadership #leadershiplearning #humancentredleadership #challengestatusquo #culturechange Suzanne Douglas Beth Hill Fiona McNamee Jayne Beresford Charlie Brookes Kamal Bahia Angela Hayday

Empowering Families for a Brighter Future: The Crucial Link Between Work-Life Balance and Raising Good Citizens' We as parents have a profound responsibility in shaping the future of our society through the upbringing of our children. However, this responsibility extends far beyond the confines of our homes. A collaborative effort involving families, communities, organizations, and governments is necessary in order to raise resilient, compassionate, and responsible citizens. The achievement of a healthy work-life balance is a cornerstone of achieving this shared goal. In order to guide their children along the path of growth and development, parents must be able to strike a harmonious balance between their professional obligations and family responsibilities. In order to achieve this balance, supportive workplace policies are essential. Flexible working arrangements, parental leave, and childcare support not only benefit individual families, but also contribute to society's goal of fostering the next generation of responsible citizens. These policies create a ripple effect of positive outcomes throughout our communities by allowing parents to actively participate in their children's lives while maintaining fulfilling careers. As we reflect on the interconnectedness of work-life balance and the cultivation of good citizenship, let us heed the words of Helen Keller, who famously said, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." In order to advocate for policies and practices which prioritize the well-being of families and children, we need to join forces across sectors and spheres of influence. Let us envision a future where every child is able to thrive in a nurturing environment, where work and family life complement rather than compete. Commit to creating a society where empathy, resilience, and integrity are instilled from generation to generation. Let's champion work-life balance and family empowerment together. Together, we can contribute to a brighter future for our children and future generations. #WorkLifeBalance #FamilyEmpowerment #GoodCitizenship #CommunityBuilding #togetherwecan #ricchagaur #motivationalspeaker