Iowa must attract and retain a high-quality child care workforce

As a parent of two young children with deep roots in the Cedar Rapids community, I’m so proud of the quality child care center my children attend in Cedar Rapids. However, I know many families in my community don’t have access to programs like the one my children attend.

As a new father, I see the importance of quality child care that focuses on early learning. By enrolling children in high-quality early learning programs at an early age, we can ensure they will get a strong start and start school at the same level as their peers.

As a business owner, I also know how important quality care is. Childcare related absences affect most Iowa employers, and our company is not an exception. With the supply of child care shrinking, I’m concerned this problem will increase before it gets better Iowa has lost 33 percent of its child care workforce in the last five years. This is a fact I’ve seen firsthand, as my 2-year son’s teacher left her job to pursue a higher paying position.

As a fifth generation Iowa business, my family’s company and employees take great pride in being thoroughly knowledgeable and holding high standards. The same is true of the child care professionals at places like the one my children attend.

That’s why I’m calling on lawmakers to propose solutions that attract and retain a quality child care workforce. Our economy and our future depend on it.

Matt Skogman

Marion