THE NEED FOR CHILDCARE IN WILKES COUNTY

Though many factors affect the workforce, lack of adequate childcare is a primary challenge in Wilkes County, especially for families with working parents.19 In surveys, focus groups, and interviews, parents described major childcare factors lacking in Wilkes County—quality of care, cost, stability of staff, and days/hours care is available —and the challenges they had finding these in Wilkes County.

A review of the most recent available data for Wilkes County children who live with their parents validates parents’ feedback. Childcare availability has a significant impact on two-adult/two-income families, singleparent/one-income families, and all families with school-aged children. Though a minority of children belong to single-parent/one-income families, children age 5 years and under are heavily represented among those families, signaling a great need for childcare options for children not yet in school. Because the need and ecosystems differ for childcare for younger children (birth to 5 years old) and school-age children (elementary and middle school), this report addresses these childcare markets separately.

Need for Early Childhood Care: Birth to 5 Years

Most recently available data show that 13,194 children under 18 years of age in Wilkes County with 12,034 children living with their parents in 2021.20 Among these children, 3,942 were 5 years old or under and living in a variety of family structures. A majority of children lived in households with two working parents or a single working parent (2,604 or 66%). Additionally, 27% lived in households with one parent not in the labor force, and 7% lived with a single parent not in the labor force.

7 %

All parents not in labor force

27 % One parent not in labor force

66 % All parents in labor force

19 As previously noted, this report focuses on parent-led households as the most prevalent family type in Wilkes County and for which more data is available. However, the Childcare Taskforce acknowledges family dynamics that give rise to grandparents becoming primary guardians and other family structures, and intends that recommendations and the desire to improve early childhood experiences will benefit all children in Wilkes County.

Licensed childcare providers and seats have declined

A majority of working parents (65%) surveyed during this study stated their preference for childcare in a center, classroom setting such as NC Pre-K, Head Start, or licensed home for their children ages birth to 5 years old. However, stakeholders recounted throughout this study that a greater range of childcare providers served Wilkes County prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and even earlier. They recalled various childcare options in operation pre-Covid that were run by independent organizations, the Wilkes County Community College, and all Wilkes County Schools elementary schools.

Data on the number of licensed childcare providers in Wilkes County aligns with stakeholder inputs. From 2007 to 2022, the number of licensed childcare providers in Wilkes County declined by 65% reflecting a 48% decrease in the number of children served by licensed childcare operators. In 2007, 83 licensed childcare providers served 1,883 children. At the end of 2022, 29 licensed childcare providers served 977 children, including 909 children 0 to 5 years old. The significant decrease in the number of licensed family childcare homes from 38 in 2007 to four in 2022 reflects the greatest change in the licensed childcare operator landscape in the last 15 years.

Among the 29 childcare providers serving Wilkes County in 2023, the majority are childcare centers such as school-sponsored Pre-K programs, Head Start, and privately-run independent programs. Twelve of Wilkes County School System’s 13 elementary schools across the county host Pre-K programs that are statefunded and open to children who qualify by criteria, such as income level or development need (See Figure 1.5). Additionally, three federally funded Head Start programs are available, along with two religiousaffiliated programs, and eight independent programs. As of 2023, there are four licensed family childcare homes in operation. A complete list of licensed childcare providers in Wilkes County is included in the Appendix of this report.

*NC Pre-K programs are at the following elementary schools as of 2022: Boomer Ferguson, C.B. Eller, C.C. Wright, Millers Creek, Moravian Falls, Mountain View, Mt. Pleasant, Mulberry, Roaring River, Ronda Clingman, Wilkesboro, North Wilkesboro. Only Traphill Elementary School does not have a Pre-K program.

**The 2007 Childcare Analysis Report includes the Community Service Organization/Agency provider type and included the following groups in Wilkes County:

• Easter Seals UCP Woodlawn Children’s Center

• 4-H After-School programs (8)

• After-School Fun Clubs (3)

• Wilkes Family Resource Center

Source: NC Department of Health and Human Services: Division of Child Development and Early Education. (2022). Child Care Analysis Reports. Retrieved from ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/County/Child-Care-Snapshot/Child-Care-Statistical-Report

Notes: The state data is modified to reflect the late November 2022 closure of one religious-affiliated center.