Narrative-first, evidence-driven

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Purpose: reduce the monthly squeeze by making childcare more available and more reliable.

The mechanism (plain language)

When childcare is scarce, prices rise and parents lose work hours. That’s a direct squeeze on families and a drag on the local economy.

What good looks like

• more licensed slots
• faster, predictable licensing timelines
• stable workforce (less churn)
• clear subsidy processes
• fewer administrative cliffs for providers

Quick wins (pick 1–3)

Supply (more slots)

1. Childcare-friendly zoning (home-based and small centers where appropriate).
2. Fast-track permitting for childcare renovations and safety upgrades.
3. Pre-approved renovation templates (egress, bathrooms, playground fencing).
4. Use public buildings after hours (schools/community centers) where allowed and safe.

Workforce stability

5. Wage support / retention stipends tied to training and tenure (often state/local + philanthropy).
6. Streamlined credential pathways with paid training time.
7. Substitute pool / shared staffing co-op (reduce closures when someone is out sick).

Licensing + admin drag

8. Publish licensing timelines and create service-level targets.
9. One-stop provider help desk for paperwork, inspections, subsidy enrollment.
10. Reduce duplicate inspections across agencies where possible.

Families (reliability)

11. Subsidy processing time targets and public reporting.
12. Clear waitlist transparency (so families aren’t calling 30 places blindly).
13. Emergency short-term care options (partner networks).

Scoreboard metrics (choose 3–5)

• Licensed slots per 1,000 kids (by area)
• Average licensing time (application → approval)
• Provider turnover rate (or proxy)
• Subsidy processing time (days)
• Average closure days per provider (reliability)
• Waitlist time estimates (where tracked)

Common failure modes

• Treating childcare like a private “family problem” instead of infrastructure.
• Lots of programs, no throughput metrics.
• Providers drowning in paperwork.
• Workforce churn makes gains evaporate.

Bridge language

• “Childcare is work infrastructure.”
• “Reliability is as important as price.”
• “Let’s reduce the paperwork tax on providers.”
• “More slots is the long-term affordability plan.”

One Ask examples

• “Publish licensing timeline metrics monthly and reduce median approval time by 20% in 6 months.”
• “Fast-track childcare renovation permits and report approvals quarterly.”
• “Create a provider help desk to cut paperwork and track provider satisfaction and churn.”

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