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Child Care study results are in

By
Lori Sorenson

There’s a child care shortage in Luverne and Rock County, especially for infants and toddlers in the home day care market.
That's why the Luverne Economic Development Authority approved a $7,000 contract last fall with Maxfield Research and Consulting, Golden Valley, for a child care demand analysis study.
The firm studied overall population and household growth trends through 2020, household incomes, fertility rates, number of stay-at-home moms, commuting patterns of where people work and more.
It also looked at local trends among in-home child care providers — capacity, cost, availability, hours of service, types of services and more.
The study concluded earlier this year, and last month Maxfield researchers turned over their findings to the EDA.
At Monday's LEDA meeting, Director Holly Sammons reviewed that information with the board.
"Child care is an important part of the social and economic infrastructure of a healthy community," Sammons said.  
"Accessible, affordable, and quality child care benefits the social and financial needs of parents and the educational and developmental needs of children, as well as the economic needs of employees and employers in our local economy."
She said that's why it was so important to have the study done in order to have firm numbers to work with in addressing the shortage.
The key findings of the child care demand study validate that there is a scarcity of child care options for infants (age 0-12 months) and toddlers (12-24 months). 
"This same issue affects much of Greater Minnesota, where parents report a difficulty finding child care, particularly for infants, and it is being brought to the attention of legislatures," Sammons said.
"The study contains many important facts, pertinent data, and regional trends available to the public in order to gain a better understanding of our local situation in hopes of finding ways to creatively meet the needs for child care in our community."
LEDA is making the study publicly available for anyone interested in addressing the local child care shortage.
In order to alleviate some of the high costs associated with the development of a child care facility, the study suggested several partnerships that could be explored:
•Working with a local church to operate a child care center could reduce the startup costs of a child care facility as churches typically have existing classrooms, kitchens and outdoor space and playgrounds. 
•Partnering with a local school would similarly reduce the costs of a new child care facility, as schools also have the existing infrastructure and space to support a facility.
•A public-private partnership provides a third opportunity for the development of a child care facility. In this model, substantial buy-in by the public sector would be required.
•Expansion/remodel of an existing facility that would bring economies of scale to the construction process. “We understand the city of Luverne operates the Luverne Area Aquatics and Fitness Center that features multiple pools, fitness center and other multifunctional spaces,” Maxfield researchers wrote.
“Should a child care addition be developed on the site, the construction costs could be significantly reduced. … Further, there is potential for the recreation space in the Aquatic and Fitness building to be included in the per child space requirements for the facility. This would reduce the size requirements of the addition and therefore costs.”
At Monday's meeting the LEDA made it clear the city isn't interested in starting a government-run day care center.
"The best thing is for government to stay out of it," Sammons said. "But child care is a critical part of a healthy community, and this is one of those unique cases of private ventures for public good. We want to get this information into the hands of the community."
Mayor Pat Baustian said, "If there's a business that wants to step up to the plate, we have the information."

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