Watauga County Childcare Study Data Released
What was the goal of this study?
To assess the existing childcare infrastructure and its impact on the people and businesses throughout Watauga County.
The Dancy Research team used a collaborative and economic approach to gather pertinent information from statistical sources and stakeholders, identify gaps in service, and make recommendations of action steps to fill those gaps.
"This report underscores how valuable the early childhood and afterschool caregivers are in Watauga County. The role they play in raising our younger generation helps make it possible for parents to go to work and make our business community function,” said David Jackson, President/CEO of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. “Many of these caregivers are parents themselves, and are working in a physically and emotionally-challenging environment for the love of the children they care for each day. This report helps bring fresh and real data to the childcare landscape that will help drive next steps from a real snapshot of the industry, and less on the anecdotal experiences that have been shared over the years. We are fortunate to have a strong group of community partners that are eager to continue working on the action steps outlined in this report.”
Mind Your Business Podcast: Interview with Cyndi Dancy about the results of the study
Dancy Research is a North Carolina-based economic development research firm, who recently conducted a similar study for the Wilkes County Economic Development Commission. Cyndi Dancy, Owner and Principal, teamed with Dr. Pamela Shue, an Associate Professor for in the Department of Family and Child Studies at Appalachian State University to conduct the research.