CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) – With a growing population, Chatham County is working to make sure affordable and quality childcare is available. Chatham County official, Tara Jennings spoke with News 3 about the plan going forward.
“Childcare and quality childcare we have known for quite some time is the cornerstone for people to have quality of life, whether that be workforce, housing, whatever it may be,” Jennings explained. “So, a strong educational foundation is how we feel like people should start.”
Jennings said there are multiple factors that are straining the childcare system including cost, capacity, salaries and new requirements.
“We have quality-rated childcare centers, which means that the lead staff in the childcare centers have to have certain training and certain experiences,” she said. “Probably 10 to 15 years ago, that wasn’t a requirement. Over time, it’s been steadily increasing. That’s made it harder for people to actually fit the criteria to be a lead teacher in a childcare center.”