Improving early learning and care for children is a top priority for the Montgomery County Community Foundation, local businesses and government officials.
On Monday, Montgomery County Commissioners agreed to deed the former county office building on South Boulevard to the Montgomery County Early Childhood Coalition.
MCCF Director Kelly Taylor asked commissioners for the building as their investment into the new program.
The building will be transformed into an early learning facility and will house a new childcare center for infants to age 5.
The MCECC is comprised several local entities that recognize the need for quality childcare, as identified in a 2019 needs assessment conducted by Indiana University. The study estimated businesses lose $4.9 million due to loss of work earnings when workers have to take off work to care for their children. The cost to businesses is $7.9 million. Local governments lose approximately $808,000 in revenue.
Taylor said there is more to the problem than the financial losses. She is concerned about the children.
“If we don’t give high quality childcare, we are not educating the future workforce,” Taylor said. “I feel strongly the lack of quality early learning is something we need to address. We need to look at it as infrastructure just like roads and bridges.”
Taylor said the study revealed there is a need for 2,000 chairs in quality child care and early learning. Presently, the county has 750 chairs which is a mere 38% of the need. Of those chairs, the state only recognizes 230 chairs meet the grade to be considered high quality.
“High quality childcare is an economic development issue,” Taylor told commissioners. “It is also a quality of life factor for communities.”
“We are considered a child care desert, meaning we have few chairs available,” Taylor added.
The estimated cost to renovate and build an addition to the building is $3.7 million. Taylor said business and individuals have already pledged nearly $3 million.
Taylor said the work produced by the MCECC will likely be a model for other rural communities.
“This is a transformational project that will change lives in our community, children and businesses,” Taylor claimed.
Commissioners approved the gift of the building and asked County Attorney Dan Taylor to start the legal process needed to deed the building to the MCECC.
“This is an investment in our community,” commissioner John Fry said. “We could sale the building and then do what with the money? Donating the building is a great thing and a great investment.”
The MCCF is planning an event Nov. 10 in regards to how the public can get involved in funding the project. More information will be forthcoming.
