Childcare has been a hot topic across South Dakota, and it was front and center at the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) conference in Pierre last week. I had the opportunity to hear from some of the larger communities about the challenges they’ve faced and, more importantly, the creative solutions they’ve implemented. Now, the big question is: What are Clark County’s specific childcare needs, and how can we tackle them together?
After the conference, I had a follow-up conversation with a childcare business about potential units, which got me thinking—before we jump into solutions, we need to clearly define the issues. Is the greatest need in the zero-to-three age range? Are after-school programs for older children a bigger concern? Or is the challenge simply finding qualified staff or a suitable facility?
The only way to get clear answers is to hear directly from the community. If you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, employer, or anyone affected by childcare in Clark County, your input is invaluable. We’re putting together a questionnaire to understand the needs better here. If this is an issue that resonates with you, now is the time to speak up.
We need your input! Please take a few minutes to fill out this questionnaire and help us identify Clark County’s specific childcare needs. Your feedback will be invaluable as we explore potential solutions.
TAKE THE SURVEY
Let’s work together to strengthen childcare options in our community!
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