In an era where workforce challenges and work-life balance are at the forefront of business conversations, Nicole Riehl, president and CEO of Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC), is leading a critical dialogue about the transformative power of child care solutions. Through the upcoming National Child Care Innovation Summit: Business Leaders in Action, both EPIC and the U.S. Chamber Foundation are bringing together business leaders to explore how strategic child care investments can simultaneously support employees, strengthen communities, and drive economic growth. In this Q&A, Riehl shares insights into why child care is no longer a peripheral concern, but a central strategy for businesses seeking to thrive in today's competitive landscape.
For those that may not be familiar, what is the National Child Care Innovation Summit: Business Leaders in Action, and how did it come about?
The momentum of government, philanthropy and the business community’s commitment to child care is at an all-time high — and the time to act is now. That’s why Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC) is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to host the National Child Care Innovation Summit: Business Leaders in Action in Washington, D.C. on December 3-4. The Summit will educate, cultivate and equip key business leaders to activate and lead child care solutions in their communities.
This event is the third in a series of child care summits over the last 12 months, and will provide the opportunity to dive deep into the “how” and the tactical processes and mechanisms involved in addressing child care challenges faced by their employees and communities.
Why is supporting child care solutions a key priority for EPIC?
EPIC is a nonprofit founded by business executives to directly engage with the business community on solutions that build the workforce of tomorrow while supporting the workforce of today. This includes direct work with employers to increase access to high-quality, affordable child care and early education, helping them attract and retain the best workforce while enabling families, children, and the economy to thrive.
Supporting child care solutions is a key priority for us as we engage with employers and community partners as an experienced and neutral expert to help them explore, plan, and implement child care supports that are right-sized and sustainable. This helps ensure win-win-win solutions meet the needs of employers, employees, and local communities.
What insights can attendees expect at the Summit about the impact of child care support on workforce retention and recruitment?
At this Summit, we’ll dig into not just the why that motivates the business community to engage in child care but the how. Businesses, employers, and chamber/economic development partners will learn from innovators who are solving workforce retention and recruitment challenges through child care solutions. Attendees will network with other decision-making executives and industry experts and leave with actionable strategies to support child care solutions that lead to greater economic success in their communities.
How can businesses practically contribute to community-wide child care solutions, and what role does collaboration play?
Businesses can play a vital role in community-wide child care solutions by investing in sustainable, scalable approaches that support both their employees and the broader community. Here are some practical ways businesses can contribute and the importance of collaboration in these efforts:
- Identify and Implement Child Care Benefits: Companies can start by assessing their workforce’s needs and providing relevant child care benefits. This may include on-site child care, subsidies, or flexible working hours. Such benefits help attract and retain talent, particularly as employees seek workplaces that support a healthy work-life balance.
- Partner with Community Organizations: Building strong partnerships with early childhood advocates, local nonprofits, and government entities can lead to more impactful, community-centered solutions. By working together, businesses can support a more robust child care infrastructure that benefits the entire community.
- Engage in Public-Private Partnerships: These partnerships between the public and private sectors can help fund child care facilities or initiatives that increase the supply of qualified early childhood educators. This collaboration is crucial for sustainable impact, as it blends the strengths of public funding and private sector innovation.
- Become Advocates for Impactful Policies: Businesses can amplify their impact by supporting policy initiatives that address child care challenges at the systemic level. EPIC’s experience in mobilizing business leaders as advocates for early childhood issues shows that when companies participate in policy discussions, they can influence legislation that expands access to affordable, high-quality child care.
- Invest in Long-Term Community Benefits: Businesses that invest in child care not only support their workforce but also contribute to a thriving local economy. Companies investing in child care infrastructure help foster an environment where families feel supported, leading to a more stable workforce and vibrant community.
How can this Summit influence employers’ goals for community engagement and economic development?
The Summit will create an opportunity to tie economic development, demographic, and workforce data to how employers can position themselves as employers of choice and strong community contributors through child care investments.
The Summit will help transform employers' perspectives on child care from a peripheral concern to a central component of their internal, community engagement and economic development strategies. By participating, employers can gain insights and tools to implement child care solutions that not only support their workforce but also contribute to the prosperity of their communities and the growth of their business in every way.
Learn more about the National Child Care Innovation Summit: Business Leaders in Action and EPIC.
About the authors
Joseph Davis
Joseph Davis is communications director at the U.S. Chamber Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
