A recent study shows a great need for child care in Greene County.

Greene County Early Learning Center recently conducted a preliminary study with First Children’s Finance to see about the need for more child care services in the community.

Results from the study show that 94-percent of families with children under the age of six and 70-percent of families with children between 6 and 17 years-old, that live in the 50129 zip code area, have parents who work. That means 660 households with children under the age of 18 present creates a need for child care. The study also shows the average family size in the 50129 zip code is 2.74 and the median income is about $60,000. To qualify for Iowa Child Care Assistance programs, a family of three must have an income below $29,232 and a family of four must be below $35.235.

The study goes on to say that since 2013, Greene County has lost 21 spaces for child care. The registered child development homes and non-registered homes have also declined by a total of 83 spaces. The spaces for licensed centers have increased by 67 spaces, due largely to the Early Learning Center in Paton.

GCELC Director Cherie Cerveny tells Raccoon Valley Radio why they wanted to do the study.

“Part of the reason why we are going down this road is because our waiting list has been long for a very long, long time. We have a lot of newer families because of all the different industries, and expansions, and different companies in the county that we just need to be looking at not just what’s currently happening, but what is going to be happening in the next few years.”

She adds that they are hoping to use the results to help them decide whether or not to expand their current facility at the administrative building with the Greene County School District or asking others to pursue the child care field. Ultimately, Cerveny notes, they want to do what’s best for the children.

The complete study will be done this summer.