CNA 2022-25 vFINAL 09202022 MASTER COPY - Flipbook - Page 79
c. Focus group input
The focus group attendees expressed their concern about affordability and availability and acknowledged
that much of the local area is a child care desert. A child care desert is any census tract with more than 50
children under age 5 that contains either no child care providers or so few options that there are more
than three times as many children as licensed child care slots. About two-thirds of Steuben County census
tracts are designated as child care deserts by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services,
as is the western half of Yates County.55
✓ It was like this 13 years ago, and it hasn’t gotten any better. It took a whole paycheck to pay for
daycare, so she decided to stay home. It isn’t worth working to have someone else take care of
your kids when you have no money in the end.
✓ A family with a special needs/medical needs have an even harder time finding day care.
✓ There is not enough child care. When [my daughter] did call around, providers are not
returning calls.
✓ NYS subsidies have increased. We have the money available 3 but no providers to give it to.
✓ Legislation isn’t enough, but it seems there is an awareness. Child care is an expensive
operation.
✓ Yes, it is a need. More regulation, standardized safety, screening by the state of the provider
for all child care including those in religious settings. Paid at a living wage for child care
providers. Bring back the child tax credit for families. Having more spaces available in school
settings for 3 and up. Child care oversight by private provider, who is providing care in their
home without having to report to anyone (Close the loophole).
55
New York State Office of Children and Family Services,
https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/childcare/deserts/#deserts-map
Pro Action of Steuben and Yates, Inc. Community Needs Assessment 2022 – 2025
Page 79 of 162
