Increased Licensed Childcare Opportunities

We are working towards increasing the licensed childcare opportunities in Seward.

Seward Alaska is  is known as a “childcare desert” because of its extreme lack of affordable licensed and unlicensed childcare providers. In our 2020 Family Survey of the 63 participants, with a total of 89 children under 5 years, data showed 78% were not satisfied with the access to affordable and quality childcare. The Early Childhood Provider (ECP) Survey, was completed with licensed and unlicensed childcare, showing a childcare capacity of 48 slots. The data from the ECP Survey shows the Seward area is only meeting 53.9% of childcare needs. 

Many families and businesses suffer because of this lack of care. Parents who would otherwise be in the workforce as productive members of our economy are left to stay at home to care for their children due to their lack of access to affordable care. The 2020 Family Survey showed that 45% of participants kept a parent at home or used staggered schedules 5 or more days per week to cover childcare. It is more cost effective for at least one parent to stay at home due to the high cost of care.