8.
City Council Work Session
- Meeting Date:
- 05/13/2025
- From:
- Jeff McCormick, Economic Development Manager
- Department:
- Economic Vitality
Co-Submitter:
TITLE:
Discussion of childcare resources in Flagstaff and greater Coconino County and the impacts of the current status.
DESIRED OUTCOME:
Council will receive information about the absence of regional childcare resources, and ongoing efforts to mitigate the situation, from Rebecca Cirzan M. Ed. of the Early Learning and Development Center at Northern Arizona University.
Executive Summary:
This presentation will discuss the issue of childcare for the City and some potential next steps to assist in addressing it. It will be presented by Rebecca Cirzan, M. Ed. of the Northern Arizona University Early Learning and Development Center (NAU ELDC). There will be a discussion about the current state of childcare in the City and offer ideas for next steps.
The City of Flagstaff recently worked with a consultant to develop a Workforce Development Assessment and Strategic Plan. While access to childcare was not in the initial scope of work for the assessment, it was apparent from public comment that this area was a major concern for the workforce and overall residents in Flagstaff. Since then, City Economic Development staff have been in conversations with the NAU ELDC, United Way of Northern Arizona, the Wharton Foundation, Coconino County, and other entities to look at ways to assist in addressing the issue. There are short-term steps towards a long-term solution being assessed. What is clear from the data is that the lack of early education and childcare has impacts on Flagstaff's economy, workforce, and the quality of life for residents.
The City of Flagstaff recently worked with a consultant to develop a Workforce Development Assessment and Strategic Plan. While access to childcare was not in the initial scope of work for the assessment, it was apparent from public comment that this area was a major concern for the workforce and overall residents in Flagstaff. Since then, City Economic Development staff have been in conversations with the NAU ELDC, United Way of Northern Arizona, the Wharton Foundation, Coconino County, and other entities to look at ways to assist in addressing the issue. There are short-term steps towards a long-term solution being assessed. What is clear from the data is that the lack of early education and childcare has impacts on Flagstaff's economy, workforce, and the quality of life for residents.
Information:
On top of the quality of life issues associated with lack of childcare, the childcare crisis continues to have a significant impact on economic output, labor force participation, career advancement and job training, and workplace productivity. A lack of childcare stability has led to a $1.7 billion loss annually to Arizona’s economy (U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, 2022). In Coconino County, there are 5,183 children with all parents in the labor force; however, there are only 3,147 center-based childcare slots (First Things First, 2024). The region is considered a 'childcare desert' for infants and toddlers, meaning there are three spots for every child from birth to two years of age. There are almost eight times the number of infants compared to childcare slots in the region. Aside from access, the lack of affordability presents challenges for low- to-middle-class families. Sending an infant to a licensed center in Coconino County is about 15% of a family’s income, far above the US Department of Health and Human Services' recommended affordability of 7%. Higher-quality childcare costs more to operate, with the costs falling on the backs of families. With the rising cost of living, it becomes nearly impossible to afford and access high-quality care and remain in the workforce. Arizona families are losing $3 billion per year in forgone earnings and expenses related to job searches (ReadyNation 2023).
Attachments
- Summary of Council Childcare Work Study
- Summary of ELDC City of Flagstaff May 13
- Childcare City of Flagstaff May 25