SAMA - Sarasota-Manatee Area Manufacturers Association’s Post

It’s no secret that childcare costs in the U.S. have skyrocketed to the point where they’re simply unaffordable for most families. Shockingly, 72% of parents are forking out 10% of their income on center-based care for their infants, and 51% are paying more than 20%! This leaves many parents feeling stuck—forced to choose between their careers and the care their children need. But here’s the thing—why settle for this broken system when there’s a smarter, more efficient alternative? At Danberkidz, we get it—childcare shouldn’t break the bank. Our platform offers a tailored, affordable solution that doesn’t just cut costs; it adds value. With Danberkidz, childcare providers can manage billing and track attendance with ease. Parents benefit from flexible payment options that fit their budget, making it easier to provide the care their children deserve without sacrificing their financial stability. More families can afford quality care, and childcare providers can build profitable businesses. Don’t let high childcare costs dictate your family’s future. Choose Danberkidz and give your child the best start in life—without the stress of crippling expenses. #childcarecosts #affordablecare #danberkidz #familyfinance #childcaremanagement

Many parents feeling the squeeze of high childcare costs are looking forward to reform being introduced by the UK government. Most parents know already it will depend on if the early years resources are available within their locality. Plan ahead. #education #costofliving #parents #economy #financialplanning Octopus Money

As the competition for top talent intensifies, offering a comprehensive benefits package is crucial to attracting and retaining valuable employees. But have you considered including childcare assistance? Child Care Council of Nassau (CCCN) knows that childcare is a major concern for many working parents. In fact, Seventy percent of working parents say they are more likely to choose an employer that provides childcare benefits over one that does not. [catalyst.org] The CCCN is a leading resource for employers seeking childcare solutions for their workforce. • We can help you connect your employees with high-quality childcare options in Nassau County. • Educate your employees about the benefits of childcare and how to find the right fit for their families. • We can help you explore tax-advantaged options for subsidizing childcare costs for your employees. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your business thrive. https://lnkd.in/ePnPAHP6 #Childcare #EmployeeBenefits #WorkLifeBalance #TalentAcquisition #Retention #NassauCounty #CCCN

Childcare shortages in communities are everywhere across the U.S. This article examines the shortage of childcare providers and the financial burden it places on families and communities. https://lnkd.in/e_sXYKxc #letsgetgrowing32 #thriveinthayercounty

Parents in Northern Ireland Demand Childcare Reforms 📣💪🏽 Parents in Northern Ireland took to the streets of Belfast, marching for urgent childcare reforms amidst the rising cost of living. With childcare costs soaring over £12,000 per year for one child, families are feeling the pinch. Northern Ireland remains the only UK region without a comprehensive childcare strategy. Melted Parents NI, an advocacy group, has presented several urgent demands to the Executive, including immediate financial support for families and a complete overhaul of the existing childcare system. Rebecca Harper, co-founder of Melted Parents NI, highlighted the urgency: "The March for Childcare shows the Executive that addressing escalating childcare costs is crucial. Families are overwhelmed, and the lack of progress is troubling. This crisis affects everyone, from the NHS workforce to local businesses." Parents demand inclusion in designing new childcare systems, immediate financial relief, and tax-free childcare reform. They call for the removal of the cap on tax-free childcare allowances and an increase in government contributions from 20% to 30%. Alternatively, they suggest using block grant funds to ease the burden. The message is clear: Northern Ireland needs a sustainable childcare system now to support families and ensure economic stability. #ChildcareReform #CostOfLivingCrisis #NIChildcare Reporting by Katie Murphy🎙️✨

The Challenge of Finding Childcare in Fairfield County!! Navigating the childcare landscape in Fairfield County, CT has become a daunting task for many. 📍 With a significant influx of New York City residents since the beginning of covid, and sky-high commercial real estate costs, finding quality childcare is like searching for a needle in a haystack. 🏙️ The struggle is real, and the impact on families is profound. #FairfieldChildcareChallenge #ChildcareDeserts 💰 Commercial real estate prices in the area are extremely high, making it challenging for childcare providers to find new locations suitable for childcare, and to sustain their current operations. Sadly, some have been forced to shut down due to the cutbacks in Covid-era government funding. The ripple effect on families is undeniable. #FairfieldChildcareCrisis #SupportChildcareProviders 🏡 Digging deeper into the issue, areas like Stamford, Norwalk, and others, are often referred to as childcare "deserts." 🌵 The website childcaredeserts.org sheds light on this, showcasing the gaps in accessible childcare options. In an effort to do our part to help local families, Watch Me Grow is expanding, adding capacity for more infants and toddlers in our programs. We are in the process of opening 3 new rooms in our Norwalk location, and we’re hoping to add at least one new location soon. Stay tuned!!

Welcome news this morning from Chartered Accountants Ireland. Their paper 'Supporting working parents - The case for better childcare policy' sets out the economic arguments for improving childcare and recommends a streamlining of the 'core funding system' to reduce the administration burden on childcare providers. We hear firsthand every week the pressure parents are under to secure childcare, like Daniel and his partner who were told there's a 2-year waiting list for creche in their area, or Simone who has to drive a 90-minute round trip twice a day as there was no childcare available in her area. There's a correlation between providing adequate and affordable childcare - and strategic issues like gender pay gaps and sustainable workplaces where families aren't stressed and burnout. Organisations are striving to play their part in closing gender pay gaps - isn't it time for governments to step up and play their part too? Let us know what you think! #childcare #genderequality #policy https://lnkd.in/emgtnryY

How did we let this happen? The number of registered childminders in Northern Ireland has halved over the past two decades while demand for childcare has risen. The availability and cost of childcare has become a significant issue for many parents and is now a political and economic priority. The current childcare challenges mean that a significant proportion of parents, 88% according to the Employers For Childcare’s latest survey, are changing their working arrangements to manage childcare, including some leaving the labour market altogether. There is some more positive news with a £25 million package of measures being announced by education minister Paul Givan that all children are entitled to 22.5 hours of pre-school education per week as part of the measures aimed at reducing childcare bills for working parents through a new Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme. This is an important first step to keeping parents in the labour market and encouraging those who have left to return to work. This is vital at a time when data by Ulster University economists concluded that Northern Ireland now has the "tightest labour market of any of the 12 UK regions" so getting the people businesses need to drive growth is increasingly challenging. The solutions will be many, and often complex, but improving child-care provision is key part of the broader solution for increasing labour market in Northern Ireland. It’s a start but there is more work to be done. The right childcare strategy could enable 11,000 women in Northern Ireland to return to work. https://lnkd.in/da9XyD2p

Labour's childcare plan has been announced, which includes creating 100,000 new childcare places and more than 3,000 new nurseries. This is an interesting policy that could have a big impact on families. Could this be a game-changer? Let's discuss Labour's childcare proposal https://lnkd.in/esnfS8Wd #labour #childcare #ukpolitics