Throughout the Childcare for All community meetings, families, caregivers, childcare providers, educators, and community members shared their experiences, challenges, and ideas about childcare in Denver.
Every conversation was different, but several common themes emerged across the community meetings:
Making Childcare More Affordable
Families shared that the cost of childcare can make it difficult to find and maintain care that works for them. Participants also discussed how some families may earn too much to qualify for financial assistance while still struggling to afford childcare.
Participants emphasized that affordability also affects childcare providers and educators, including their ability to earn livable wages while keeping care affordable for families. They also discussed how changes in enrollment and the end of temporary or pilot funding can affect providers, staff hours, and wages.
Expanding Childcare Options and Capacity
Families shared that childcare needs look different depending on work schedules, location, culture, language, family circumstances, and the individual needs of children.
Participants expressed a need for more childcare options, including care close to home or work, non-traditional care for families with schedules outside typical childcare hours, and care that reflects families’ cultures, languages, and traditions. Families also discussed the importance of accessible care and appropriate support for children with disabilities and other individual needs.
Participants also discussed the need for more childcare slots and resources to help existing providers expand and increase capacity.
Recognizing Family, Friend and Neighbor Care
Participants highlighted the important role that grandparents, relatives, friends, neighbors, and other trusted caregivers play in supporting Denver families.
Families discussed the importance of recognizing family, friend and neighbor (FFN) care as part of Denver’s childcare landscape and ensuring these caregivers and the families who rely on them can access resources and support. Participants also discussed opportunities for existing programs and resources to better reach FFN caregivers.
Supporting the Childcare Workforce
Participants emphasized the importance of investing in the people who care for Denver’s children.
Ideas included livable wages and benefits, professional development and training opportunities at little or no cost, mental health support for educators, resources for childcare providers, and support for people interested in entering or growing within the childcare profession.
Supporting the Whole Family
Participants discussed the importance of supporting children and families beyond the childcare setting.
Ideas included mental health support for families, stronger connections to community resources and services, and helping childcare providers and educators connect families with support across different systems.
Giving Families a Voice
Families shared that they want opportunities to share their experiences and have a meaningful voice in decisions about childcare.
Participants emphasized the importance of continuing to listen to families, caregivers, and providers as Denver considers ways to strengthen childcare.
Exploring the Role of Employers and Community Partnerships
Participants discussed the role employers, community organizations, public agencies, and private partners can play in supporting families’ childcare needs.
Ideas included stronger public-private partnerships, employer-supported childcare solutions, and better connections between existing community resources. Participants also emphasized the importance of strong partnerships in building a childcare system that can adapt to challenges and support families and providers over time.
Making Childcare Resources Easier to Find
Families shared that finding childcare, understanding available options, and connecting with resources can be difficult. Long waitlists can also make finding care challenging.
Participants discussed making childcare information and resources easier to find and navigate, including resources available at home or in the community that families may not know about.
Reviewing Regulations and Barriers for Childcare Providers
Childcare providers and community members discussed how regulations, licensing requirements, zoning and development processes, and other administrative requirements can affect the ability to open, operate, and grow childcare programs.
Participants expressed interest in identifying opportunities to make these processes easier to navigate while continuing to support safe, quality care. Participants also discussed exploring multi-use spaces and other opportunities that could support additional childcare options in Denver.
Building a Strong and Resilient Childcare System
Across conversations, participants shared ideas about what a stronger childcare system could look like for Denver families, caregivers, educators, and providers.
Participants emphasized collaboration, long-term investment, and building on existing programs and partnerships to create a childcare system that can respond to challenges and continue supporting Denver families over time.