Sources & Solutions

CHILD CARE ANSWERS SUPPORTS FAMILIES, EMPLOYERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Writer / Melissa Gibson Photography Provided

Child care can be a tricky subject. We all have different opinions and needs for our family, but safety, location and finances usually top the list.

When you’re on the search for child care in your area and aren’t sure where to turn, Child Care Answers exists to help families locate resources that fit the need.

There’s a similar program in every Indiana county, but Child Care Answers specifically serves Marion, Hendricks and Hamilton counties.

“Back in the 1980s, a group of people who realized that families needed child care formed a long list via paper of all the child care resources in the area,” says Executive Director Mollie Smith. “Families could call in and ask for information and they’d help locate what the family was looking for.”

Today Child Care Answers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and they hold a state contract through the Family and Social Services Administration to support families with child care, education and best practices in the industry.

The process has become increasingly difficult over the years, as Smith says there are not enough high-quality seats available and so many day cares are experiencing staffing shortages.

“COVID exposed the gaping hole we have,” she says. “We’re not where we were during the pandemic, but we’re not fully recovered either.

Many programs have closed. Many are not operating at full capacity due to staffing issues and it’s a cycle.”

The cycle Smith refers to is most clearly seen in infant care. It costs more to provide care for infants, and families are already overhead costs can be challenging. Even those who want to open an in-home child care find challenges with HOA rules in their neighborhood and upgrades needed in the home.”

Given the current and ongoing circumstances, the stress of searching and selecting the right location.

First, plan ahead.

“There won’t be a spot open tomorrow,” Smith says. “This causes a lot of panic when someone starts looking late into their pregnancy or after the baby is born. They are afraid of losing their job if they don’t find care.”

Second, get educated.

Child Care Answers can provide checklists to ask a potential child care provider, based on each family’s priorities.

The checklist includes questions such as: What is the policy if you are sick, or if my child is sick? How do you handle discipline? How often do you check the playground equipment?

“We want to empower families,” Smith says. “Sometimes you’re in such a frazzled state, you can forget to ask the important questions. Depending on the age of the child, those questions may change. People are so desperate for care that they are just looking for anyone, but if the provider is licensed, then you know there are certain requirements they have to meet.”

Smith says when someone calls them, they are often in a crisis situation - not just with child care, but with transportation, immunizations and other family issues that need to be addressed.

“We try to focus on two-generational support,” Smith says. “If a family has other needs, we can find those organizations that will support them. We might not be the resource that handles all of those situations, but we can find out who does.”

The organization even works with businesses to help find solutions for these challenges.

“We do surveys of employees for employers to identify a need,” Smith says. “We can often find out what’s needed in an anonymous survey, rather than a person going directly to their boss to discuss. If you have more than 5,000 employees, would you consider opening a child care at the workplace? We want to help both the family and the business find a solution.”

Child Care Answers sends out regular newsletters with updated information, and they host a resource fair for child care providers that includes CPR instructors and state partners.

“If you’re looking to further your education as a child care provider, or if you’re not licensed and interested in learning more about that, I’d encourage anyone to call us and look at the options that may be available to you,” Smith says. “These children are our future. Our little ones should have the best start possible and we want to work with you.”

Child Care Answers is located at 1776 North Meridian Street, Suite 101 in Indianapolis. For more information, call 317-636-5727 or visit childcareanswers.org.