Small Businesses Call on Vermont Lawmakers to Invest in Child Care

Main Street Alliance urges investment in child care system this session to alleviate child care crisis among small business and their communities.

Main Street Alliance is urging Vermont lawmakers to invest in Vermont’s Child Care Campaign’s 0 – 5 child care system. Child care is a critical issue for small business owners, their employees and the economy as a whole. In addition, the lack of affordable, high-quality child care acts as a barrier to starting or expanding a business.  Public investment would mean greater stability for small businesses and their employees. 

Vermonters currently pay the highest percentage for child care compared to any other state.  According to Let’s Grow Kids, 60% of Vermont’s children do not have access to the childcare they need. Without increased state investment in the worsening childcare crisis, small business owners and their employees will not have the childcare they need to sustain thriving local economies throughout Vermont. 

“Women and people of color are disproportionately impacted by high childcare costs, but businesses benefit and the economy grows when women can stay in the labor force,” said MSA Executive Director Chanda Causer. “Expanding public investment in child care and paid leave promotes greater gender and racial equity in entrepreneurship and employment. We hope legislators will heed this call to action and make investments that will benefit all Vermonters.”

The lack of accessible, affordable child care can be a major barrier for small businesses trying to get off the ground or expand their operations. That’s why Main Street Alliance along with more than 140 employers are calling on Vermont lawmakers to invest childcare this session. 

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