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Executive Summary
Purpose of the Needs Assessment

The major purpose of the child care needs assessment was to identify current and future child
care needs in the School District 43 area. A second purpose was to increase community
awareness of the value of accessible, affordable, quality child care.

Methods

A variety of data collection methods were used. These included: a community survey using a
self-administered questionnaire mainly directed at parents of children under 12; a telephone
survey of child care providers in District 43; a telephone survey of employers in the area;
focus groups; key informant interviews; and a community meeting.

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Findings

© 495 people completed the community survey; 90% had children under 13 years
of age.

88% of the respondents stated that the community should provide more support
for parents who are at home caring for their children. ;

Families with children used a variety of child care arrangements.

The preferences of parents for their child care arrangements contrasted
dramatically with their actual arrangements.

Cost was the most frequently reported reason for not using a preferred child
care arrangement, followed by the availability of a program and concerns about
the quality of the available child care.

The survey asked respondents what child care needs were not being met by existing programs. 4 a " :
© 50% with children under two reported unmet child care needs -

24% repcetod that their need for part-time care is not met

20% reported needing drop-in care
15% reported needing child care during non-standard hours