HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Child Care Task Force will present to the Board of County Commissioners at their meeting on Wednesday.
Some of the top-line numbers from the presentation show how far things still need to go in the county, despite good progress in recent months.
According to the agenda packet, only 31% of the child care demand is met in Reno County. Reno County needs 1,962 more child care spots. Twelve percent of Kansas children five and under have parents who quit, changed, or refused a job due to lack of child care.
Child care cost averages between $500 and $580 a month for full-time child care.
The Kansas average provider salary is $28,517 or $13.71 an hour for positions requiring certifications and licensing. Reno County providers make $11.25/hour.
Reno County did receive an over $2 million accelerator grant that will allow for the creation of 308 child care slots.
The Board of County Commissioners meets Wednesday at 9 a.m. in the Veterans Room of the Reno County Courthouse.
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