Want A Strong Economy? Provide Good Child-Care

"Child care plays a crucial role in economies, according to the conclusions of several economic policy experts around the U.S.

The most obvious reason is that economies need workers, and workers need people to watch their children. Affordable, caring, and engaging child care allows parents to go through their work day with greater confidence and fewer disruptions. Organized child care centers also create a significant number of jobs and contribute revenue to other sectors, according to Mildred Warner, of Cornell University's Linking Economic Development and Child Care Research Project. Without adequate child care, the whole economy suffers, she and other researchers argue.

The National Economic Development & Law Center, a national nonprofit research, consulting and legal organization based in Oakland, Calif., that aims to revitalize economically depressed communities, studies early child care and education infrastructure in states across the country. NEDLC then recommends methods for government, businesses and child-care providers to better meet the needs of parents.

Regional economies will thrive if working parents have enough child-care options, says NEDLC's Jen Wohl, rather than lose workers to more accommodating cities and states."