1. Parents in the US struggle with finding and affording childcare services
2. Small businesses are impacted by high turnover rates due to parents staying home to care for their children
3. Small businesses are addressing the issue by providing on-site childcare to increase employee recruitment and retention, ultimately benefiting both parents and the business.
Parents in the United States are facing challenges when it comes to finding, affording, and retaining childcare services. This is leading some parents to stay home from work, which is problematic for small businesses. To address high turnover rates caused by childcare issues, some small businesses are now offering on-site childcare services.
Zach Wiley, a 31-year-old in Virginia, left his job at Red Rooster Coffee in 2021 due to a long commute. However, now that the coffee shop provides on-site daycare, Wiley has returned to his old job and was even able to afford a house nearby. The convenience of having childcare at the workplace has made a significant difference in his life and enabled him to continue working.
Red Rooster Coffee offers on-site childcare for children from one month up to nearly 13 years old, charging parents $2 per child per hour. Companies like UPS and Etsy that provide stipends, on-site daycare, or backup care have seen benefits such as increased employee recruitment and retention. These companies have found that the cost of providing childcare services is outweighed by the benefits of having a more stable workforce.
Research by the nonprofit Moms First shows that company-provided childcare can support employees in increasing their earning potential and advancing in their careers. This support is particularly valuable for families and women who may otherwise need to leave the workforce due to childcare financial burdens. Overall, on-site childcare services can make a significant impact on both employees and small businesses.