Crawfordsville’s Innovative Childcare Solutions

Crawfordsville, Indiana, like many communities, has faced significant challenges with access to affordable and quality childcare. This issue has impacted the ability of working parents to participate fully in the workforce, affecting local businesses and the broader community.  

On this episode of "Continuing the Conversation," Aaron Merchen, Senior Director of Early Childhood Education Policy and Programs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, speaks with Mayor Todd Barton of Crawfordsville, Indiana, to discuss the importance of early childhood education in community development and economic growth.  

Child Care Obstacles in Crawfordsville  

Mayor Barton understands the significant challenges the city faces with both the quantity and quality of childcare options. Indiana University has designated Crawfordsville as a childcare desert, with less than 3% of children enrolled in quality early childhood education programs. He notes that the lack of childcare is a major barrier to workforce participation, impacting local businesses and families. “The business of childcare is kind of a broken model, and it doesn’t work,” Barton explains. This shortage not only affects the current workforce but also poses a long-term challenge for the community’s economic future.  

Collaborative Solutions  

To address these issues, Barton formed a task force and partnered with the Montgomery County Community Foundation and other local entities. This collaborative approach was crucial in developing a sustainable solution. Barton talks about the importance of everyone coming together, including state and local governments, businesses, and philanthropic organizations. “We all had to come together to create a system where we all contribute in some way to make it successful,” he says. “It’s about the workforce of today and creating that pipeline for tomorrow.” The task force initially sought easy solutions, such as grants, but soon realized the complexity of the problem required a more robust plan.  

Creating an Early Learning Center  

The task force developed a plan to create an early learning center, ensuring that it would not negatively impact existing providers. They focused on a long-term plan, securing funding from local and state government, businesses, and philanthropies. The early learning center, a $5 million project, is set to open in the summer of 2025, providing 124 high-quality childcare seats. “We set the bar higher,” Barton notes. “We didn’t move forward with construction until we knew we had enough money to sustain this longer term.” This careful planning aimed to avoid the pitfalls seen in other communities where facilities opened but soon closed due to operational funding issues.  

Business Investment and Community Impact  

Businesses were incentivized to invest in the early learning center by offering priority seating for their employees’ children. This approach helped secure significant contributions from 13 businesses, alongside government and private donors. Barton highlights the positive impact this will have on local productivity and workforce development. “Convincing business and industry leaders outside our community to invest was not easy, but showing them the tangible benefits made a difference,” Barton says. The priority seating arrangement provided a direct benefit to businesses struggling to fill positions due to childcare shortages.