Addressing Childcare Challenges in Rural Communities

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, working parents struggled with access to affordable child care. This challenge has only intensified, impacting parents’ ability to enter or remain in the workforce. In small towns and rural areas, the challenges are even more pressing. Aaron Merchen, Senior Director of Early Childhood Education Policy and Programs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, sits down with Adam Alson, co-founder of Appleseed Childhood Education, and Haden Polseno-Hensley, co-founder of Red Rooster Coffee. They discuss their creative approaches to tackling these issues within their communities. 

Customized Community Solutions 

Alson and Polseno-Hensley both returned to their small hometowns with a vision to improve their communities. They saw firsthand the impact of child care shortages. Their solutions, however, were tailored to their specific needs. 

Polseno-Hensley explains, “We started paying my sister-in-law to watch a bunch of and then we thought, what if we did it the way it’s supposed to be done?” This led to the creation of a licensed childcare facility, Yellow Hen, which serves the children of Red Rooster Coffee employees. 

Alson also found himself in a community lacking accessible childcare options. Seeing how others struggled without this critical support, he decided to take matters into his own hands and work to fix the problem himself. This prompted him to start Appleseed Childhood Education, a nonprofit organization that provides high-quality and affordable early childhood education programs. 

The Role of Quality and Accessibility 

Quality childcare is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Both Alson and Polseno-Hensley emphasize the importance of creating environments that cater to the needs of their communities. For Alson, this meant partnering with Right Steps Child Development Centers to ensure high standards. 

“Having the availability of childcare in a rural community can be an attractive factor for people who want to live here,” Alson notes. “It’s about creating a place worth living in.” 

Polseno-Hensley echoes this sentiment, highlighting the importance of a nurturing space. “We wanted it to be a positive environment for our children, based on good models,” he says. “It’s not just glorified babysitting.” 

Sustaining and Expanding Efforts 

Both leaders acknowledge the financial challenges of providing quality childcare. Their efforts are maintained through community support and forward-thinking funding solutions. Alson’s Appleseed Childhood Education relies on local philanthropy and government support, while Polseno-Hensley’s Yellow Hen is subsidized by his own company, Red Rooster Coffee. 

“You can’t unsee it once you see it [the effects of childcare in the community],” Polseno-Hensley says. “The need is explosive, and the benefits are clear.” 

Looking ahead, both Alson and Polseno-Hensley are committed to expanding access to quality childcare. They believe that community-driven solutions are essential for the future of small towns and rural areas. 

“Communities that invest in childcare will be the ones that attract and retain young families,” Alson concludes. “It’s about ensuring a vibrant future for our towns.”