Maricopa County’s On-Site Kids Club

Challenges

Access, Worker Issues

Location

Arizona

Stakeholders

Businesses, Local Government

Beneficiaries

Parents, Children

Overview

In 2025, Maricopa County, Arizona—one of the nation’s largest county governments—opened a 12,000-square-foot on-site childcare center for its employees’ children.

Key Impact Metrics

12K
square-foot facility
156
childcare slots
10
classrooms

Problem

Maricopa County employees faced a pervasive lack of reliable, affordable, and high-quality childcare, creating substantial barriers to employment, particularly for women, whom County Manager Jen Pokorski identified as disproportionately affected. Existing childcare options often failed to accommodate the diverse and extended work schedules of county employees, including those working second and third shifts, leading to logistical challenges. Furthermore, the prohibitive cost of even inadequate care forced many talented individuals out of the workforce or into precarious arrangements. This systemic childcare deficit directly undermined the county's ability to attract new talent and retain its extensive existing workforce, creating a critical challenge in maintaining essential public services.

Solution

To solve this, Maricopa County introduced the Kids Club, a new 12,000-square-foot on-site childcare center at its downtown Phoenix headquarters, operated by KinderCare. This facility offers 156 spots for children aged six weeks to five years, providing crucial support for employees. A significant benefit is the 50% tuition discount for county employees, drastically reducing childcare costs. The center boasts extended operational hours, running from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily, including weekends, with future plans for 24-hour care to accommodate all shifts. Beyond the on-site center, the county also offers employees a 10% discount at any KinderCare nationwide, creating a flexible and comprehensive childcare support system.

Results

Beneficiary Impact156 children served
Employee Impact15% projected increase in one-year retention rates for employees with young children
Financial Results$3M invested by the county government

Replication Tips

Use existing space: Many municipalities have unused buildings or sections of libraries/community centers that could house a childcare program. Repurposing space (as Maricopa did with a downtown facility) saves money.
Public sector buy-in: Government entities often focus on public-facing services, but replicators should frame employee childcare as a way to strengthen those services via workforce stability. Maricopa’s success was built on quantifying how childcare issues were affecting their agencies. Present data on overtime costs or vacancy rates to justify the return on investment of a childcare center.