Washington County residents are invited to learn about the results of a childcare-workforce study that was conducted this fall in part by the Washington Economic Development Group (WEDG).

With financial support from several Washington County communities, WEDG commissioned the study by First Children’s Finance, a national nonprofit organization that provides loans and business development assistance to child care businesses serving low to moderate income families. WEDG Director Mary Audia shares local parents, employers, and childcare providers were encouraged to complete a survey to give feedback on aspects such as current and preferred childcare, effects on employers caused by lack of childcare, and providers’ challenges of operating during a pandemic, “People were given the opportunity maybe to stay home. That way they could watch their kids, they didn’t have to pay for childcare at that point, or on the other end of the spectrum we had childcare businesses that closed up that they just couldn’t make it. So now we kind of have to reassess and see what’s available, see what kind of waiting lists there are.”

A study outcomes presentation will be given Monday, November 15th from 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the Nicola-Stoufer room on the second floor of the Washington Public Library. The event is free and open to the public.