Chances are good that you or someone you know is feeling the effects of the Northland’s child care shortage. Like many other areas in the United States right now, there is a significant gap in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin between providers and demand for child care across all age groups, including infants.
A lot of work is underway in the Northland to address the child care shortage at its roots. In Duluth, a wide range of partners are exploring potential solutions, and innovative models are springing up in places like Aurora, where Mesabi East School District is collaborating with child care providers to expand the range of affordable options available to local families.
The good news is that a single operation can make a big difference. For example, with the opening of a new child care center, the Silver Bay area saw a reduction in demand from 500% in 2020 to 18.1% in 2021.
At Northland Connection, we’re dedicated to tracking the numbers and monitoring trends in child care demand. You can reach out to us anytime for up-to-date data reports. Here’s a chart showing child care demand trends as of January 2024:
You can compare these numbers to our previous report from June 2021, which drew on data we provided in April 2021 to inform community solutions action plans.
We can also point current or aspiring child care providers in the right direction to find the resources they need to get started, such as vacant buildings that can house new daycare businesses. Explore what’s available now in our database of commercial real estate on NorthlandConnection.com, or reach out to us for further information!
Contact Northland Connection Program Manager Shaun Hainey at shainey@northspan.org for data on regional child care and help related to sites and buildings. Contact NORTHFORCE Program Manager Ali Bilden Camps at acamps@northspan.org for workforce assistance and for connections to other child care resources in the area.