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BLOWING ROCK ACADEMY

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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

MARCH 14, 2023

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Why are we talking Childcare?

Outline of Presentation

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• Statement on Childcare

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• Issues with Childcare – Lack of and Cost

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• What can we do?
• Blowing Rock Academy (BRA)
• Benefits of the BRA
• Outline of the BRA

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Statement on Childcare

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Childcare is a Business Issue.

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“Childcare is not a family issue, it is a business issue. It affects How we work, When we work, Why we work and could also influence Where we work. Employers that provide high-quality childcare will not only differentiate themselves from the competition but will foster unbelievable retention.” (Harvard Business Review)

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We have needs now….. It is time to get creative

When we talk Childcare –

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2 Main Issues:

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• Lack of Childcare – “no spots”

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• Cost of Quality Childcare

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Lack of Childcare

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Recent Articles – lack of childcare

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“Child Care Sector Shrinks By 100,000 workers, Causing Shortage” – The NY Times (10/13/22)

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“Child Care Industry in chaos – This is unheard of” – ABC News (10/20/22)

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“Child Care workers have vanished and its hurting the entire economy” – CNN (2/28/23)

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Lack of Childcare – Employment and Economic issues

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Ready nation – 2022 Study of parents:

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• 23% said they’d been fired because of childcare problems

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• 26% said they’d quit a job over childcare.

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• 37% said they had their pay or hours reduced because of childcare.

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• 41% said they turned down a job offer due to childcare concerns

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• Economic losses from the underpowered childcare industry is at $122B in 2022 ($3.5B in NC) Lost earnings, productivity and revenue

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Lack of Childcare – local

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• Watauga County
• 2,000 children under 5 years old
• 659 total spots – all CDCs

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• Over 250 currently on waiting lists

Waiting lists are as much as 2 years

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• TOBR – 4 employees right now without care (infants)

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Cost of Quality Childcare

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Childcare is one of the biggest expenses families face.

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• Infant care in North Carolina costs $2,125 (28.9%) MORE per year than in-state tuition for four-year public college.

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• That makes North Carolina one of 33 states and DC where infant care is more expensive than college.

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• In North Carolina, infant care costs just 8.6% less than average rent (2022 data).

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• The average annual cost of infant care in North Carolina is $9,480—that’s $790 per month. Watauga is over $800 ($9,600)

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• Appalachian State Tuition and Fees = $8,152

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What can we do to assist?

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(Think outside the box)

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Blowing Rock Academy

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Why Blowing Rock Academy?

• Retention of Employees
• Peace of mind – children on-site
• Boosts morale
• Increase productivity
• Higher quality of work
• Decrease in absenteeism
• Encourage families – “families first”
• Smoother transition after maternity leave
• Relieves financial burden

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• Recruitment of Employees
• Set us apart – first to do it
• Tells the labor pool – we care about our employees

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Blowing Rock Academy - outline

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• Full-time employees – children within home of FTE
• Not for the public

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• Park and Recreation - Oversight
• Afterschool and Summer Camp – examples of success (Full - waiting lists)

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• Location – Community Building – underutilized
• Total rent avg. $2,150 a year

• Hours – 7:30am – 5:30pm

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Blowing Rock Academy - outline

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• Start with two FT Employees (Director and one FT Staff with PT)

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• Start with up to 10 children (1 to 5 ratio)

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• Could have up to 20 Children (Sq ft)

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• Stars (1-5)
• Program Standards
• Education Standards
• Environment

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Blowing Rock Academy - outline

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• Cost will be $400 monthly – (50% market)

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• Will be expensed by Town and treated as benefit ($70K - $80K annually) (Currently spend $1M)

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• Grants –
• Stabilization Grant
• Child Care Development Block Grant
• Smart Start
• NC General Assembly

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Community Building Needs:

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• Lattice under the back porch
• Privacy fence around play areas and HVAC unit
• Direct Access from inside the building to the play areas outside (2 new doors)
• New outdoor porch
• Hand washing sinks in the room (near changing station)
• Interior wall to separate Toddler/Infants

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• Upfront estimate = $50,000-$60,000

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Questions??

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