An Economic Development Practitioner’s Guide to Childcare

Abstract

Childcare is a critical infrastructure that supports working families, businesses, and the economy in addition to providing important care and development opportunities for infants and young children. In the United States, infant and toddler childcare is largely delivered through the private market and is subject to heavy regulations at federal, state and local levels to ensure the safety and well-being of young children. Unlike other critical infrastructures such as public schools and roads, considerations for childcare provisions are not permanently embedded into long-term city plans in most American municipalities. Support systems to reduce the numerous supply and demand side challenges are insufficient. Funds available to support families and providers are limited and resources to help them navigate the complex processes are sparse. With limited external support, families and childcare business owners both bear the consequences. Families are faced with limited access to and supply of care as well as high fees. Childcare business owners struggle with high business costs, complex processes, and regulatory burden. Economic development organizations can play a central role in redressing the challenges faced by the childcare industry by leveraging their physical assets and extending their industry and workforce development initiatives to include providers. This thesis focuses on the case of New York City where the newly elected mayor has listed childcare reform as a key city priority. It considers the pathways through which its major economic development organization, the NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) can work to permanently integrate childcare considerations into its internal planning and programming along with ways in which it can collaborate with other agencies to advocate for its integration in the city’s broader, longer-term strategic plan. It offers several opportunities that the EDC can consider and case studies it can reference to understand how cities and counties across the United States have worked to support and strengthen local childcare systems.