The Shelley Irwin Show

WGVU By Leaps & Bounds

00000179-f232-de1b-a9f9-f2fa97a20003Investments in high-quality early childhood care, education, and support programs do more than help children – they also strengthen our workforce and economy. How are communities in West and Southwest Michigan approaching prevention and early intervention in these systems of care? How do the programs benefit children, families, care and education providers, businesses, and taxpayers? Where are the gaps, and how do we fill them? Come along as we take a closer look.

By Leaps & Bounds: An On-the-Ground Look at West Michigan’s Child Care Sector

WGVU News | By Shelley Irwin

Published May 7, 2020 at 9:30 AM EDT

Child care is one of the key essential services needed to get and keep our economy rolling. Families and employers alike are counting on the availability of child care slots to get everyone back to work. However, child care businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic, albeit historical sector declines. Camp Fire West Michigan 4C is on-the-ground every day as a long-time “institution of trust” providing “hand to heart business support” to child care providers, helping them save their small business and focus on recovery, sustainability, and expansion.

Chana Edmond-Verley, CEO of Campfire West Michigan 4C and Vice-Chair for the Great Start Collaborative of Kent County is here to discuss. Child care providers can learn more by visiting https://www.campfirewestmi.org/ or https://www.firststepskent.org/. Parents looking for help finding child care can find assistance here: https://www.greatstarttoquality.org/families.