Early Learning Coalition of the Emerald Coast - Childcare Needs Assessment

Challenge: The ELC-EC sought to gain a comprehensive understanding of the childcare landscape in their region to address challenges and gaps in the system. They needed a thorough needs assessment to gather insights from key stakeholders and inform strategic decision-making.

Solution: Bridging Analytics partnered with ELC-EC to conduct a mixed-methods childcare needs assessment.

This involved:

    • Bridging Analytics engaged with a diverse range of stakeholders, including parents, childcare providers, early childhood educators, and business owners.

    • This ensured a holistic understanding of the childcare needs from various perspectives.

    • A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative surveys with follow-up qualitative questions.

    • This allowed for both breadth and depth of data, capturing both statistical trends and nuanced insights.

    • Bridging Analytics analyzed the collected data to identify key challenges and gaps in the childcare system.

    • A comprehensive report was developed, highlighting key findings and recommendations for action.

    • Parents: Struggled with affordability, accessibility, and quality of childcare, impacting their work and family life.

    • Providers: Faced challenges related to staffing, regulations, funding, and capacity.

    • Educators: Experienced low pay, lack of benefits, and unsustainable working conditions, leading to high turnover rates.

    • Businesses: Recognized the impact of childcare challenges on employee absenteeism, productivity, and profitability.

    • Increase public investment in childcare.

    • Expand childcare options and improve quality.

    • Offer flexible hours and support services.

    • Enhance information and resources for parents.

    • Increase employer support for childcare.

    • Foster community collaboration to address childcare needs.

    • The needs assessment provided ELC-EC with data-driven insights to inform their strategic planning and advocacy efforts.

    • The findings and recommendations helped to mobilize stakeholders and advocate for policy changes to improve the childcare system.

    • The report served as a valuable resource for community organizations, businesses, and policymakers seeking to address childcare challenges in the region.

Conclusion:

Bridging Analytics' collaboration with ELC-EC demonstrates the importance of comprehensive needs assessments in understanding and addressing complex social issues like childcare. By gathering data from diverse stakeholders and providing actionable recommendations, Bridging Analytics empowered ELC-EC to advocate for a more supportive and sustainable childcare system in their community.

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