By: Lucy Bowman
Kansas is in a state of crisis. The availability of childcare is plummeting and, at the same time, costs are skyrocketing. According to data from Child Start, the average cost of childcare in the United States has increased over 200% in the last three decades.
Even with the exponential growth in costs, it can take months for children to be accepted into a childcare facility. In some cases, the parents need to reserve a spot on the waitlist a year before they need the service–before they even know if they are expecting. Parents simply can’t keep up–and they shouldn’t have to. Childcare is fundamental to the success of working parents which is why Kansas institutions must invest in the expansion and affordability of childcare.
According to Kansas Reflector’s John Wilson, Although a problem of this size will require a multifaceted solution, “it is time we acknowledge that the Kansas child care crisis is a problem for all of us–advocates, lawmakers, parents, providers, businesses and communities–to collectively solve.” I believe that McPherson College could be part of this solution.
McPherson College’s record-breaking enrollment numbers and healthy endowment puts the college in a unique position to support the surrounding community. Not only this, but the college is home to a large number of young parents (whether that be students, staff, or faculty members) who would benefit greatly from on-campus childcare.
Assistant Professor of Biology Amanda Yamasaki has a unique perspective on this issue because she is currently pregnant with her first child and is due in January. She shares, “I am in the uniquely lucky position in that my husband is able to transfer completely into being a stay at home dad. So, we recognized early on that was going to make life really easy for us. In a way, it is definitely not that easy for a lot of people.”
Yamasaki is especially grateful for this given the fact that child care in McPherson County is sparse. However, she explained that if McPherson College were to offer childcare for faculty members, she would definitely utilize the service. Yamasaki explains that such a service would take some of the stress away from becoming a new parent.
Professor Yamasaki points out that students would also greatly benefit from this service. She explains that she has some students who are late to her morning and afternoon lectures because they have to drop off and pick up their kids from school. “I’m like, I’m going to try to make this as easy as possible for you because I understand. This is a situation that is completely out of your control. But I also recognize that it’s not ideal for anybody.”
Take, for example, Katie Dix, a junior and education major at McPherson College. Dix is also the mother to three-year-old Ivy who, according to Dix, is a “spitball of energy.” Dix does an impressive job balancing her school-life and home-life, but admits that it can be hard with a young child at home. Dix shared, “I can’t just, like, not go to school and watch her. And, sometimes it’s hard to find people to watch her during the day.”
Although Ivy attends an at-home daycare center in McPherson, the center closes for a variety of reasons throughout the year. When this happens, Dix is faced with a difficult choice: bring Ivy to class, or take a sick-day and stay home. Dix explained this is why she would appreciate having a childcare option available on campus. She stated, “I can’t just, like, not go to school and watch her. And sometimes it’s hard to find people to watch her during the day.”
Dix explained that she runs into the most barriers when trying to participate in activities at the college including Alpha Psi Omega, Gamma Beta Phi, and the McPherson Educators Honor Society. She said, “I feel like I can’t be on campus as much because I have to either pay a babysitter, or ask my parents if they’ll be home, or bring her with me. I don’t have a problem bringing her with me now that she’s older, but she can be a handful sometimes when you’re trying to do actual activities.” An on-campus childcare service would allow Dix to get involved and enjoy the college experience she deserves.
Although these are just two, seemingly insignificant anecdotal stories, they illustrate the growing trends across the state. Additionally, childcare isn’t just a personal concern, it’s an economic one. According to data from the Kansas Reflector, the absence of affordable childcare cost the American economy over $100 billion in the last year.
One of the three pillars at McPherson College is service. One way the college can honor this pillar is by providing childcare to its students, faculty, and staff.
