There is no doubt amongst business leaders, elected officials, employers and employees that without childcare, economic recovery will be virtually impossible. The harsh reality is that if childcare centers don’t get financial relief soon, families will have even fewer options for care when they feel it is safe to send their children again. The number of families who need care…

A Modern Day Childcare Solution with 1940s Roots – History and Context History tells us that working moms have been a part of the work force with childcare needs for centuries. Understanding that creativity is the mother of invention, working mothers have been ever so creative in how they cared for their kids. Native American moms strapped newborns to cradle…

Parenting in the time of COVID has hit many families hard. Frequently I hear from parents on the many Zoom meetings I’m in that it is a struggle balancing child care with work demands, never mind home schooling. With school coming to an end, the balancing act is still in full swing. For parents that don’t have the flexibility of…

At no other time in the history of Kids Co. have we faced such harrowing times. Between the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the heart wrenching reality of the injustice and racism that exists today, Kids Co. is still doing our very best to provide care to children AND plan for a future beyond the pandemic. For Kids Co.,…

To our beloved Kids Co. community, Our heart is heavy in our shared grief over the senseless killing of George Floyd that ignited the events of this weekend. George Floyd and the countless others who were killed or persecuted simply because of the color of their skin are a part of our collective history that we must prevent from happening…

Kids Co. teachers do a tremendous job under challenging circumstances with very limited resources and not nearly enough appreciation. Like storybook heroes, our teachers often have to overcome adversity, doubt, and fear, as well as find the joy and accomplishment in helping your children grow up. Every day, our frontline staff do their best to address the social-emotional needs of…

Like my past three posts, COVID-19 is the focus. I am so proud of the Kids Co. frontline teachers. They are caring for the kids of the essential workforce, free-of-charge, Monday thru Friday. We were asked to provide this service from the Governor and are honored to be proactive in the fight against this pandemic. Our challenge is the cost.…

I know the title sounds a bit dramatic but in all sincerity, this is a strong possibility. Across our nation and within individual states, child care is predominantly comprised of small businesses. Between 70-80% of a child care program’s expenses goes toward staff salaries. For most child care centers, 100% of their revenue comes from tuition paid by parents. Over…

Kids Co. is helping our community stay strong during this time of crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on all of our lives. As Washington state is under a “stay-home, stay-safe” mandate, most of our centers are closed. The three we have open are for the kids of our workforce heroes—healthcare providers, first responders, and families in vulnerable positions—all…

One important topic that hasn’t been covered by news media that will have a tremendous impact on business and working families is the impact of COVID-19 on licensed child care programs, particularly those programs that are on-site at public elementary schools. If schools shut down, vulnerable families are at a higher risk of being negatively impacted.