Quality Preschool

Iowa’s Governor-appointed Child Care Task Force recommendations (2021) identified challenges and proposed solutions to child care for the State of Iowa. Composed of public and private partnerships, stakeholders acknowledged that quality early childhood education and care relies on a strong workforce and that investments in the workforce grow Iowa’s economy.  I2D2 is a uniquely positioned partner In this work with capacity to leverage skills In data collection and integration across siloed systems of health, education, and child welfare to guide statewide strategic planning efforts.

 Led by I2D2 teams, the 2019 Early Childhood Needs Assessment uncovered shortages in the quantity and quality of early childhood related to low-wages and lack of benefits (see also: “Themes in Iowa’s Child Care Conversation”). These findings were highlighted in the statewide strategic plan “We are ECI” with goals Including (a) creating a larger, more skilled early childhood workforce and (b) providing new or expanded early childhood workforce supports to enhance the quality of early childhood programs and services.

Building on this work, I2D2 partnered with ECI on the Estimated Cost of the Child Care Shortage in Iowa Report in 2020 (see also: Iowa’s Child Care Shortage: It’s an Economic Issue). Findings revealed that working families with young children lost an average of $8940 in total earnings; and also revealed a loss of $82.8 million for Iowa businesses and $241 million in lost annual earnings for working families.

In 2021, I2D2 worked with HHS to identify the cost of providing child care in Iowa, required as part of Child Care Development Block Grant funds.

In 2022, the team was recruited to collaborate with the Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children (Iowa AEYC) to update a 2016 Iowa Child Care Workforce Study. This work, 2023 Iowa Child Care Workforce Study Report, highlighted critical needs and offered solutions to address ongoing workforce challenges (see also: Compensation is Key to Addressing the Child Care Crisis”).

I2D2 continues to elevate the mission of the Governors Child Care Taskforce through their collaborative efforts with stakeholders and agencies. Current work includes collaboration with Iowa Health and Human Services and Child Care Resource & Referral leadership to develop more real-time data solutions that will highlight child care supply and demand and strengthen child care businesses by providing more efficient data collection opportunities so providers can focus on providing the direct care and support to families when they need it.

Data integration and analysis are the forefront for understanding the workforce trends and needs across the state of Iowa. I2D2 will continue to leverage skills and abilities to inform and guide decision-makers.