Thurston County Business Roundtable Highlights Urgent Need to Strengthen Childcare Ecosystems for Economic Prosperity and Community Well-being
by Michael Cade, Thurston EDC Executive Director
Last week, the Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC), in collaboration with Ready Nation – a leading childcare advocacy group – convened a business roundtable with numerous Thurston County business and community leaders. The primary objective of this dialogue was to explore proactive measures to bolster our region’s childcare ecosystems. It has become increasingly clear that the future prosperity of our entire community hinges on the well-being and development of our children. While advocating for childcare is straightforward in principle, implementing effective solutions that enhance support, empower providers to succeed, foster a conducive regulatory environment for long-term operations, and facilitate family engagement in the local economy poses challenges. Lack of access to quality childcare not only deprives families and individuals of a vibrant life but also increases their vulnerability to poverty.
The economic repercussions are significant: Washington State experiences an estimated $3.5 billion economic impact, with our county bearing several hundred million dollars in lost wages and productivity. A striking three-quarters of working parents cite challenges in accessing affordable, high-quality childcare. On average, families forfeit $5,520 per working parent due to lost earnings and increased job search time, while businesses face an additional $1,460 per working parent in decreased revenue and recruitment expenses.
In Thurston County, the childcare landscape is alarming:
- Only 15.32% of the necessary infant care supply is available.
- Merely 19.78% of the required toddler care supply is accessible.
- A mere 29.99% of the needed preschool care is provided.
- Just 10.28% of the requisite school-age care is available.
Our roundtable discussed a range of potential solutions and strategic actions. A consensus was reached that no single solution or best practice exists. In the coming months, we will collaborate with our Board of Directors, Ready Nation, and organizations like the Child Care Action Council to evaluate and pilot these ideas.
Recent publications have highlighted Thurston County’s economy ranking favorably on various national economic indices. While we take pride in these achievements and view them as affirmations of our regional collaboration efforts, we remain acutely aware that sustaining this success necessitates a robust network of childcare advocates, operators, and supporters. Without this foundational support, our esteemed economic rankings may be fleeting. We urge everyone to stay informed about regional initiatives to bolster childcare to ensure our community remains vibrant and inclusive.