The Benefits of High Quality Child Care

For Children
Research shows that high quality early care and education environments can dramatically impact a child’s success in school and in life. Early experiences directly affect the way a child’s brain circuitry is “wired” which provides the foundation for future cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development.

For Families
Parents need high quality, consistent, affordable child care in order to be productive workers. According to recent research, it is estimated that over 85% of the workforce is working parents. (Source:1997 National Study of the Changing Workforce by the Families and Work Institute)

For Economy
Investing in high quality early care and education pays off economically. For every dollar invested in high quality early care and education services, a return of $7 or more dollars can be gained through reductions in juvenile crime, teen pregnancies, welfare, and other social services. According to recent research, businesses that address workforce child care needs report improved employee recruitment, retention and productivity as well as decreased employee turnover and absenteeism.

Child Care & Business in Santa Barbara

Child Care in the City of Santa Barbara (PDF)
Child Care Impact on the Work Place (PDF)
It’s Good Business to Invest in Child Care (PDF)
The Cost Benefits of Child Care (PDF)

What employers say about child care...

“Having worked in human resources for several years and, as part of my job, having tried to help new working parents find suitable daycare, I have heard some harrowing stories about our woefully inadequate local child care options.”

“The past year however, while serving as a member of the Steering Committee for Downtown SB Employer Child Care, has given me great hope that we now have a forum to address these challenges and, more importantly, a means to make a difference for those working parents who need quality care for their children.” — Valerie Janssens, Sonos

What parents say about child care...

“The stress of being a single parent is overwhelming in of itself. When you add a full-time job and child care issues, you are constantly stressed.”

“If it wasn’t for a family member providing child care for my daughter, I would not be able to work. Child care in this area is too expensive, and I am away from my home 13 hours a day.”

“Because of the lack of affordable child care, my wife is not currently working. I am happy that she can stay with the children but it is very difficult financially.”

“What I find very concerning and frustrating as a working mother is that child care and before and after school programs are expensive and space availability is limited. I feel that there is no financial help available for middle-income families, leaving many families to rely on grandparents or other relatives to care for children or the children care for themselves.”