Childcare

Childcare is a Workforce Issue

The Federal Way Chamber recognizes that Childcare is a critical workforce issue as well as a growth industry for our area. Before the pandemic, over half a million children in Washington did not have access to licensed child care, and nearly one in five parents surveyed turned down a job offer or promotion due to child care issues, according to a detailed Child Care Industry Assessment Report (see sidebar) released by the Department of Commerce.

“Child care access and affordability are significant challenges, affecting parents’ job prospects, productivity and career decisions, with the impact even greater for Black and Native American parents,” said Commerce Director Lisa Brown. “Clearly, a dramatic investment in child care is needed for robust, equitable economic recovery in Washington state.”  WA Child Care Collaborative Task Force has additional information.