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"Wee Care is affordable, convenient, easy to navigate and my kids have genuinely loved it."- Hunter Lear
“This is a two-generation workforce issue. When parents can’t participate in the labor market, our businesses lose talent. When children don’t receive high-quality early learning, they start kindergarten behind—and too often stay behind. That affects future third-grade reading scores, high school graduation rates, and ultimately, the pipeline of workers we rely on.” - Michael Wynn
"Wee Care has given my children a playful, simulating, and safe environment to explore their friends and self confidence."
- Mackenzie Breeden
"Limited options for childcare, with high staff turnover and Inconsistent care: At least two noted that they had to make other arrangements with a private hire to care for their children so they could continue working. “Had to reduce work hours…had to pass up job opportunities because I couldn't rely on going to work.” - OMNI Silver Thread Needs Assessment Anonymous Parent Comment
"Residents consistently express the need for increased investment to ensure these vital services remain accessible and dependable." Early Childhood Needs Assessment Feedback
Key Challenges
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High staff turnover, often due to low wages and lack of benefits, leads to program instability.
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Limited personnel can result in inconsistent operating hours and reduced reliability for families and employers.
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Fixed costs remain in place regardless of tuition dependent on enrollment.
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State mandates for facility and staff without financial support.
A YES vote on 1A
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Improve staff retention by offering competitive salaries and benefits.
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Strengthen program stability with consistent hours and a safe, high-quality environment through professional development for staff.
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Offer tuition assistance opportunities for families
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Enhance community livability through dependable, accessible child care.
Early Childhood
spans from birth to age five, a period of rapid.and critical brain devleopment
Hinsdale County has two licensed childcare centers:
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Wee Care – a year round early learning center
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Lake City Community School (LCCS) – a part-time preschool program during the traditional school year.
Childcare access and stability directly impacts our workforce:
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restaurants
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construction / building
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rentals
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guiding
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retail
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school
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bank
As enrollment fluctuates, expenses remain the same
Contact us: hinsdaleessentialservices@gmail.com Paid for by Community Essential Services Committee