Examining Child Care in the Rural South: Perspectives for Policy and Practice
New report from the Southern Education Foundation
Child care is more than an early childhood issue; it is essential to strong families, thriving local economies, and resilient rural communities.
Drawing on the voices of families, child care providers, educators, employers, and state leaders across 12 rural communities in Georgia, Mississippi, and Missouri, this report examines the realities of child care in the rural South and offers community-informed recommendations to strengthen child care systems across the region.
Key Findings
- 87% of child care directors who participated in the study reported maintaining waitlists due to limited capacity.
- 66% of directors reported unmet demand for evening, weekend, or other nontraditional-hour child care.
- 35% of early educators surveyed reported having access to employer-sponsored health insurance.
The report provides practical recommendations to help policymakers, employers, educators, and community leaders strengthen child care access across the South.