July 19, 2022 • Volume 25, Issue 14 • Complimentary • BlufftonSun.com
INSIDE • Entrepreneurs join efforts to teach kids about nature 11A • Women’s sober home offers medically assisted recovery 13A • Pop Up concert raises funds, makes for great night 15A • On the Porch With ... Monique Frazier 17A • Hot Spots to chill out in Lowcountry’s July heat, humidity 21A
Childcare staffing issues are impacting Lowcountry workers By Gwyneth J. Saunders CONTRIBUTOR
Recently, a customer at a Bluffton hair salon noted that there were only two stylists, despite a growing list of clients signing in. The reason? The shortage of available and affordable childcare in the Lowcountry has impacted individuals who would otherwise be working. In 2019, before the pandemic, 11 childcare centers held business licenses with the Town of Bluffton. This year, only eight are still operating. “If those (other) three Bluffton centers were open and served 40 children, that would let about 120 parents go back into the work force,” said Jody Levitt, executive director of the nonprofit Children’s Center
on Hilton Head. “It’s a whole staffing issue across the board, but childcare is that one pivotal point that as people are looking for jobs, that’s a big key. Most hairdressers are female, and the childcare issue is affecting mothers in the workforce more than fathers.” Shanel Van Jaarsveld, owner of the Kids College in Bluffton, said it was difficult hiring in the industry before the pandemic due to the stringent background checks and other employment requirements, but it is even more challenging now because the hiring pool has diminished. “We had several staff who – due to health reasons and concerns – were not able to return to work during the pandemic,”
Please see CHILDCARE on page 8A
COURTESY THE CHILDREN’S CENTER
Outdoor play time is a fun part of the day at The Children’s Center on Hilton Head Island, which serves families throughout Southern Beaufort County.
TCL to host open houses this month at two campuses The Technical College of the Lowcountry will host two open house events in July. The first is July 19 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Beaufort campus, 921 Ribaut Road, in Building 2 of the Beaufort Mather Campus. Another event will be held from 4 to 6 July 26 at the New River Campus, 100 Community College Drive in Bluffton.
Storytime
Anyone who is interested in learning more about any of TCL’s 60+ program areas or career pathways, or TCL’s transfer degree program, is encouraged to attend. The following program areas will be featured: Arts, Building & Industrial, Business Management & Accounting, Culinary Arts & Hospitality, Health Sciences,
at the Maritime Center
TUESDAYS AT 9:30AM
This is a FREE program. Open to all ages but activities are geared towards ages 4-8.
(843) 645-7774 | PortRoyalSoundFoundation.org Open: Tuesday-Friday: 10am-5pm Saturday: 10am-4pm
Education & Professional Studies, Law & Criminal Justice and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). TCL faculty and staff will be on hand and information on financial aid and scholarships also will be available. The open houses are free and open to the public.
For more information or to RSVP for either event, visit tcl.edu/openhouse. The Technical College of the Lowcountry is the region’s primary provider of higher education and workforce training. The public, two-year, multi-campus community college serves approximately 5,000 students annually.