Childcare is becoming a critical workforce issue for Grundy County <a href="https://bitcomme.com/crosscurrents-hvacr-<a href="https://bitcomme.com/bookkeeping-prices-for-small-business-what-to-expect-in-2025/” title=”Bookkeeping Prices for Small Business: What to Expect in 2025″>business-intelligence/” title=”CrossCurrents: HVACR Business Intelligence”>businesses, according to a new analysis that found affordability and availability problems affecting families and employers across the region.
The Advancing Grundy Childcare Committee, a group of business, government, and nonprofit leaders, partnered with Start Early Consulting to examine the scope of the problem. The consultants conducted interviews and focus groups with childcare providers and business leaders to identify barriers families face and obstacles preventing providers from expanding services.
The findings are stark, according to a news release: A 2025 ReadyNation survey found that 66.4% of employers reported employee work-hour losses due to childcare struggles, 58.3% saw lost wages, and 37.3% experienced direct job losses.
“Lack of childcare accounts for loss of work hours and business productivity across all industries,” said Aindrea Hogan, with the Grundy Economic Development Council.
Start Early identified two main challenges. First, affordability is not limited to low-income families. Many local households earn too much to qualify for assistance but cannot afford childcare costs. Second, childcare providers want to expand but face severe staffing shortages.
“Even with more space, you can’t serve more kids if you don’t have teachers,” one provider told the consultants.
Low wages and demanding certifications make it difficult for providers to hire and retain staff.
The committee, which includes representatives from the Morris Hospital YMCA, City of Morris, United Way of Grundy County, Joliet Junior College, and local employers, is now working to develop solutions.
Suggestions include financial assistance for new in-home childcare providers and expanded workforce development programs.
“The goal is to find opportunities for businesses and the community to work together to find solutions,” said Christina Van Yperen, with the Grundy County Chamber. “This is not just a parent issue, or a business issue, but also a workforce issue that impacts our communities in numerous ways.”
The committee’s next step is to build partnerships between the public and private sectors to create solutions that benefit both families and providers.
Businesses interested in participating can contact the Grundy County Chamber at 815-942-0113 or info@grundychamber.com.
