Rural Pennsylvania has shrinking populations, plenty of jobs, but parents who can’t access childcare— whether for money or distance reasons.

That was the focus of a Center on Rural Pennsylvania hearing this week, who framed the challenge to access childcare as a workforce issue.

"We have a lot of jobs in rural Pennsylvania. We don't have the people to fill them,” said Senator Gene Yaw (R-23), who chairs the Center. "So how do we get people there? People don't want to work or they can't work because they don't have any place or facility that would provide child care."

Out of the typical discussions of low wages for childcare workers, one sector emerged as brimming with potential for rural areas— with the right state government adjustments.

Home based childcare is an in-home business that can watch 4-12 kids. Owners are licensed in childcare fields, and can offer highly personalized care—potentially down the road for rural parents instead of in a center 30 minutes away.

“At two years old, your teaching socialization skills. Maybe that’s something you want that taught in a smaller setting.” said Rep. Donna Bullock (D-195), Chair of the Children and Youth Committee. Bullock’s mother runs a home based childcare business.

“Maybe that person is cooking food that is similar to the food in your home. Maybe that person has more flexible hours as a home based childcare provider than a center,” said Bullock.

"This is the tiniest setting- the child to adult ratio is super low. So we know kids are getting lots of individualized attention.” said Natalie Renew, executive director of Home Grown Childcare. The organization advocates for home based childcare providers in 32 states; but Renew hails from Philadelphia.

She advocated for the sector in the hearing, pointing out how it suits rural areas.

"There is not sufficient population or housing saturation to support centers."

As well as the challenges facing the sector.

 

 

Shrinking in the Face of Struggles

  Home Grown Childcare

 

"In 2016, there were 2456 home based childcare providers in Pennsylvania. Now? There is 1040.” said Renew in an interview.

What leads to an industry shrinking over 50% in 8 years?

Much like the rest of childcare providers, home based businesses make very little income. But their small size and flexibility in approaches can also lead to discord.

Providers often adhere to multiple regulations and checks from local, state, and specialized programs. Owners might have 5 or 6 agencies doing check ups or visits on the same regulations. Worse? Sometimes the agencies contradict each other.

“They have to figure out, 'am I buying the carbon monoxide monitor that the city says I should get, or that the state says I should get’,” said Renew.

This can lead to unnecessary purchases and over all wastes time.

“Providers, who are typically offering care 55 hours a week— that's before they shop, before they clean before they do training, before they do paperwork,” said Renew. "Are now in this position to where they have to create coherence across these entities who themselves have not done that work."

Regulations can often be geared towards larger centers, not leaving room for the approaches these smaller businesses can adopt for childcare.

“There’s a quote in the testimony of a provider who very proudly offers a nature based program,” said Renew. “Tons of research in our field about how good being outside and nature is for young child development."

 

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 "But she's telling me that she's getting written up in her licensing because 'sand is a hazard to young children', and 'tomato plants are poisonous to young children',” said Renew. “They [providers] don't feel like they belong in this system."

 

“There is inherently a bias against home based childcare providers,” said Bullock. "Number one reason is that home based childcare providers aren’t at the table. Why? Because they are working. There’s often only one person running a business."

Advocates say simplifying regulations and raising state wages for childcare workers could revitalize the industry. Renew specifies that zoning regulations when houses are being built can play a role in reducing red tape.

She also pointed out that providers- who often fall in low income categories- cannot earn subsidies for their own child in the business. Even though they would qualify for subsidy in other work and childcare situation.

Changes to the system could open doors for childcare in rural areas of the state.

"It’s what works,” said Renew, "but it's also what rural parents say they want.”