Childcare is important for children, and it is essential for working parents. Parents rely on childcare to help them enter, re-enter, or remain in the workforce. But access to affordable, quality childcare is hard to come by, and now due to the COVID-19 pandemic, families are experiencing additional challenges in finding childcare that meets their needs. It is no secret that parents dedicate significant energy and resources balancing their roles at home, in the community, and in the workplace. Parents must consider various factors in determining the level and type of childcare solutions that best meet their needs. These factors make up what we’re referring to as the ‘Childcare Equation.’

As businesses look to persevere through the economic downturn caused by COVID-19 and rebuild for the future, there is an even greater need to hold workforce education accountable for career growth and business impact.

Nancy Lee Sánchez, Executive Director of the Kaplan Educational Foundation, recently examined the important purpose community colleges serve in the future of workforce development. A key point made is “community colleges are defined differently by those who enroll in them”, in other words, people view community colleges as a pathway towards different goals.