With a major effort underway to bring a 24-7 childcare facility to Emporia, the recent focus on daycare needs has led to a survey now available for residents as well as Emporia State faculty, staff and students.
The survey through the Emporia Childcare Task Force is designed to assess childcare needs, with questions including whether respondents currently need childcare, where would be the best childcare locations, peak times of need, whether households are on waiting lists and what types of childcare facilities are being used by respondents. Survey contact and grant writer Dr. Erika Martin of Emporia State University says there is a clear-cut need for childcare.
Martin also says childcare is a major benefit to parents when provided in a workplace setting.
There are also specific questions about respondent use of the Center for Early Childhood Education at Emporia State, which is tentatively set for demolition by August.
This comes as Emporia civic leaders have placed a rapidly-increasing emphasis on childcare as a community service and economic driver the past two years. It also comes as the Emporia Area Chamber Foundation is awaiting word on potential grant funding to purchase the former Maynard Early Childhood Center from USD 253 Emporia and turn that into a 24-7 childcare that could serve as many as 170 children. From the education standpoint, this comes as Flint Hills Technical College is set to launch a childcare education program this upcoming fall and as USD 253 Emporia is hiring childcare providers.
The survey will be available online through early July and will be compared to results from a similar survey from last year. Click here for a link to the survey.
