While childcare needs may be a frequent topic of conversation in Washington County, employers, parents, and childcare providers can better help solve these needs by participating in a survey conducted by the Washington Economic Development Group.

A childcare survey that was set to end on September 30th has now been extended to October 10th to try to draw more responses from those in Washington County. It offers a chance for parents, employers, and childcare providers 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. The data collected from the surveys will be used for a childcare market study conducted by First Children’s Finance that WEDG commissioned in collaboration with the cities of Washington County, East Central Iowa Council of Governments, Alliant Energy, and the Washington Chamber of Commerce. The study is anticipated to be completed this November which will then help the county better address childcare challenges and apply for grant funding. Links to the surveys can be found above.