Strong communities start with strong child care systems. For families across the rural South, finding child care can mean navigating long waitlists, limited hours, and a system that struggles to support its own educators. Our latest report, Examining Child Care in the Rural South, reveals three numbers we can’t ignore: 📊 87% of surveyed child care directors reported waitlists due to limited capacity. 🕒 66% of those surveyed reported unmet demand for evening, weekend, or other nontraditional-hour care. ❤️ Just 35% of surveyed early educators had access to employer-sponsored health insurance. These challenges affect more than child care. They shape children’s early learning opportunities, parents’ ability to work, and the economic strength of rural communities. So, what will it take to build a stronger child care system? Our report offers community-informed recommendations to help move us forward. 🔗 Read the full report at the link in our bio. #EarlyChildhoodEducation #ChildCare #RuralCommunities #SouthernEducation