Business Resources
Information for Businesses (Updated 7/1/2022)
Quality Care affects the business community
When your employees have access to quality care, they can:
- focus on their work
- be more productive, and
- stay at their jobs longer
Quality child care is also a major factor in the skill level of future workers.
“Over 20 percent of US Workers are functionally literate and innumerate, a much higher percentage than in leading European countries. This is a major drag on U.S Competitiveness and source of social problems. If current trends continue, the annual rate of productivity growth attributable to education will decline by half or more in the next two decades. Enriched preschool centers available to disadvantaged children on a voluntary basis coupled with home visitation programs have a strong track record of promoting achievement for disadvantaged children, improving labor market outcomes and reducing involvement with crime.” (“The Productivity Argument for Investing in Young Children,” James Heckman, 2000 Novel Laureate, and Dimitriy Masterov, University of Chicago, December 2004)
Quality child care saves communities tax dollars.
A landmark, long-term study of the effects of high-quality early care and education on low-income three-and four-year-olds shows that adults at age 40 who participated in a preschool program in their early years have higher earnings, are more likely to hold a job, have committed fewer crimes, and are more likely to have graduated from high school. The High/Scope Perry Preschool study was conducted by the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation. Overall the study documented a return to society of more than $17 for every tax dollar invested in the early care and education program. (“The High/Scope Perry Preschool Study Through Age 40,” November 2004)
Employer’s Questions
Why should I worry about providing child care for my employees?
Since 1.2 Million of Pennsylvania’s children under 13 have a working parent or parents, it is likely that one or more of your employees requires child care. According to the Child Care Works, “The average parent loses eight days of work every year because of child care problems.” Providing child care for your employees, you can reduce absenteeism and turnover, thus increasing employee morale and productivity. When your employees do not have to worry about child care, they can more effectively focus on their jobs.
- NEW: Investments in Caring PA, an initiative of the Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission
- NEW: Employers Consider Child Care Subsidies, SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management (2020)
- UPDATED LINK: Early Childhood Education: A Call to Action from the Business Community (PDF), The Business Roundtable
- Employer Options for Child Care: Effective Strategies for Recruitment and Retention, Pennsylvania State University, 2001 (PDF)
- Questions and Answers about EMPLOYER-SUPPORTED CHILD CARE: A Sloan Work and Family Research Network Fact Sheet, Sloan Work and Family Resource Network
I don’t have the capability to start up a child care program at my office. What else can I do to help my employees receive adequate child care?
By helping your employees get good information on child care in your area, and by creating a supportive environment in which they can take the time to find child care that meets their needs, you are providing an invaluable service to working parents. For information on child care providers in your area, contact your local Early Learning Resource Center. See a list of some of the Early Learning Resource Centers that are PACCA Members.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has developed this toolkit to provide resources to enable the business community to advance access to high-quality, affordable child care to support employees, the broader community, and the country. This includes key facts and an elevator speech on childcare, a tactical guide with tangible ways that the business community can make an impact, and case studies that illustrate best practices and lessons learned for how to engage.
Leading the Way: A Guide for Business Engagement in Early Education (October 2017)
Workforce of Today, Workforce of Tomorrow (June 2017)
I am interested in starting a program at my office. How do I begin?
The following PACCA Articles will be helpful:
- NEW: Starting and Operating a Child Care Business, State Capacity Building Center, Administration for Families & Children
- What Does It Take to Operate A Child Care Facility?