Mississippi County

Mississippi County, led by Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation and a team of community stakeholders, is conducting research on the current child care and early education landscape, fiscal resources available, and the true cost of implementing a high-quality, early childhood system that meets the community’s needs. Data-driven action steps will guide the development of a child care and early education plan leading to the implementation of community-led strategies that support a high-quality, accessible Mississippi County early childhood system.

Key Findings

The number of children who need care is higher than the number of available slots. More than 250 more slots for infants and toddlers are needed. Capacity for kids ages 3-5 is sufficient for the needs of the community.

On average, families are paying 13% or more of their income to cover the cost of care.

Current, unaffordable annual tuitions are not enough to cover the true cost of high-quality care.

Community Priorities

The Research

Families Lack Access to Child Care

The number of infants and toddlers who need care is higher than the number of available slots, with 256 kids who do not have a slot. Pre-K and other preschool capacity for kids ages 3-5 is sufficient for the needs of the community. This data is based on 70% of the estimated total number of children in the area, aligned with policy research estimates used by the State of Missouri.

[My] biggest sacrifice would be having to place children in [care] with no curriculum, no base for learning. Unfortunately, bare necessity child care providers are the reality for most in Mississippi County and even then they are expensive and almost unaffordable.

Mississippi County Parent

-Mississippi County Parent

Infant & Toddler (Birth-2 Years)

12%

Kids Served

291 Kids
35 Slots

Pre-Kindergarten (4-5 Years)

100%

Kids Served

102 Kids
156 Slots

Other Preschool (3-5 Years)

100%

Kids Served

298 Kids
349 Slots

77%

of surveyed parents who have done one or more of the following to accomodate child care: left the workforce, reduced working hours, switched jobs, changed work schedules, started to work from home, or moved to a new home

52%

of surveyed parents who were on waitlists prior to enrolling

THE COST OF CHILD CARE IS UNAFFORDABLE FOR FAMILIES

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), child care is considered affordable if it costs families no more than 7% of their income. With median household income of $40,833, local families are paying 13% or more of their income to cover the cost of care for one child.

% income parents pay for Infant & Toddler Care

13%

% income parents pay for Preschool

13%

* 7% affordability threshhold

Median Household Income (MHI)

$40,833

Infant & Toddler parent tuition

$5,460

Preschool parent tuition

$5,200

Affordable Cost Level ( 7% MHI )

$2,858

More Resources ARE NEEDED to Provide Affordable High-Quality Care

In addition to being unaffordable to families, the annual cost of tuition does not cover the true cost of high-quality care for providers. Additional funds from other stakeholders are needed to support high-quality care.

Total Cost: $20,634

Infant & Toddler

$2,858

$17,776

Total Cost: $12,427

Preschool

$2,858

$9,569

Investment Gap

Affordable Cost for Parents

Our Team Members and Affiliation

Dana Brown Ellis

Caring Communities

Jennifer Godsey

Caring Council

Lisa Norton

Charleston Chamber of Commerce

Jamarcus Williams

Charleston R-I School District

Jennifer Ford

Charleston R-I School District

Greg Leuhmann

City of Charleston

Laura Bixler

Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation* (DAEOC)

Scarlett Loomas

Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation* (DAEOC)

Aimee Scruggs

East Prairie School District

Cyndi Norton

East Prairie Chamber

Kimberly Capone

Fresh Start Improvement Center

Lester Gillespie

Fresh Start Improvement Center

Pam Jones

Meet the Need, Inc.

Rachelle Johnson