Child care vital issue for businesses, communities, FMWF Chamber panelists say

"Childcare is a vital issue vital for businesses, communities, FMFM Chamber panelists say: “Jost said quality childcare is key for a healthy society and preparing children to succeed. She said it needs to be a higher priority to keep families and businesses strong. “It’s important because it allows parents to go to work. It is the backbone of our economy,” Nancy Jost, director of Early Childhood for the West Central Initiative in Fergus Falls, Minn., said. "It’s the business that allows other businesses to stay in business.” Childcare can be expensive, especially for families with low or modest incomes. The average annual cost for childcare is $8,500 a year for a school age child, and $9,500 per year for an infant, said Robin Nelson, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of the Red River Valley. Meanwhile, the average wage for a childcare worker is low - $11.61 per hour.”

Read the full story here.