Childcare devotees looking to change the childcare landscape in South Dakota

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – A team of childcare devotees is looking to change the state of in South Dakota.

A childcare task force made up of business leaders, early childhood professionals, lawmakers, and parents was created by State Senator Tim Reed of Brookings in December 2023 to help address the lack of available and affordable childcare in the state. Last month, the group held their first meeting in Brookings to try and find solutions to the issues plaguing childcare.

Their goals are to look for any funding inefficiencies from the federal to the state level. They also want to see if there are ways to redirect those funds and bring together stakeholders from early education and advocacy groups to get a better understanding of the issues.

Early Learner South Dakota Director Kayla Klein says there is a primary problem hurting childcare.

”Childcare providers are going to be stuck in this position where they’re gonna have to start raising their costs, because that’s the only way that childcare providers get money is directly from parent fees. Parents already are having a hard time affording childcare fees,” said Klein.

Klein added she doesn’t believe childcare is a sustainable business model and may be the only for-profit business that is expected to fundraise.

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