06/02/2026
Did you know that 47,645 Wisconsin children live in families where someone had to quit a job, not take a job, or greatly change a job (e.g., reduce work hours) because of child care problems for children under age 6.
"It shouldn't be this hard."
That simple statement captured what many participants shared during our second Child Care Business Breakfast.
Participants from businesses across Brown County explored findings from the Wisconsin Policy Forum and used the Business Impact Calculator to focus on what it will take to move from awareness to action.
They acknowledged that working families shared challenges around:
• Rising child care costs
• Long waitlists
• Child care hours vs. work schedules
• School breaks, sick days, and provider closures
•Consistency, trust, and quality care
The group also explored what employers need to better support and advocate for working families:
• Better workforce data
• Employee voice and feedback
• Leadership buy-in
• Industry-specific solutions
One takeaway continued to surface throughout the morning: investing in child care is investing in our workforce.
Thank you to everyone who brought honest questions, lived experiences, and a willingness to engage in this important conversation. We look forward to continuing the discussion and identifying solutions together at our final breakfast on August 6.
Wisconsin Early Childhood Association Brown County United Way
