The Project Background
In recent years, the discrepancies between childcare supply and demand have spiked across the country; with the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing workforce shortages fueling these increases.
Many have been left asking, what does this mean for the future of childcare?
EduDream partnered with the Effingham Regional Growth Alliance’s Effingham County Childcare Research Committee to perform a childcare landscape analysis to help guide their ongoing efforts to address the county’s early childcare needs.
The Project Goals
The primary objectives of this project were to (1) determine the current availability of childcare services in Effingham as well as past patterns and (2) gauge any potential gaps in the county’s present and future childcare landscape.
Three overarching research questions guided the data collection and analysis:
- What childcare services are currently available for families in Effingham County, Illinois?
- What shifts have occurred in the availability of childcare services in Effingham County, Illinois in the last 5-10 years?
- What is the projected future demand for childcare services in Effingham County, Illinois?
The Project Outcome
EduDream created a fact sheet that highlights the current availability and the projected future needs for childcare services in their county. EduDream also presented the research findings to their team and community members. Watch the Community Webinar below: