Input Needed on Child Care in Cherokee CountySurvey links will remain open through September 30th

Thanks to a Center for Rural Revitalization Empower Rural Iowa Grant and a matching contribution from Cherokee Regional Medical Center (Cherokee Regional), First Children's Finance (FCF) has been contracted to assess the childcare needs within Cherokee County. The study will include research and analysis on: the needs of local families and children, the current supply of regulated child care, parents’ current and preferred child care choices, effects on employers caused by lack of child care, and child care providers’ challenges operating. The report will include the key findings of the research and analysis, including a childcare gap analysis quantifying how many children likely need care versus the number of spaces available.

The research being conducted by FCF includes a survey of parents who are currently using child care in Cherokee County or want to use child care in Cherokee, to learn about their child care preferences along with child care challenges they may be facing. The survey for parents can be accessed online through September 30, 2023 at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CherokeeParents. 

In addition, Cherokee County employers and childcare providers are invited to participate in surveys specific to them to provide insight into the current childcare supply and how it is affecting them. 

Employers please use the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CherokeeEmployers

Child Care providers please use the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CherokeeProviders

Kent Lundquist, VP of Development & Support Services at Cherokee Regional, and grant writer for this project explains why it is important for all Cherokee County parents, employers and childcare providers to participate in the anonymous survey before September 30th.

“Before applying for the Rural Child Care Market Study Grant it was determined that there had never been a formal study, to our knowledge, to assess the child care needs within Cherokee county,” states Lundquist. “This survey process will provide valuable information in regard to the state of child care within the county from various perspectives, and help the project steering committee to develop an action plan to address the challenges discovered through the child care market study.”

If you have questions or would like more information about this project, contact Kent Lundquist, Cherokee Regional at klundquist@cherokeermc.org or 712.225.3368 ext.2202.