Families
Childcare
According to Together We Grow, a community-driven initiative focused on addressing the critical childcare infrastructure challenges in Southern West Virginia, there are an estimated 883 children under the age of six in Nicholas County. However, the licensed capacity of childcare centers in the county is only 331 slots. That leaves a shortage of more than 500 childcare openings.
A Shortage That Affects Everyone
This shortage affects every resident of Nicholas County, whether you currently have children who need childcare or not. When licensed childcare is unavailable, families are often forced to rely on neighbors, friends, grandparents, and sometimes even older siblings to fill the gap.
How Do We Increase Childcare Availability?
Childcare facilities are heavily regulated — and rightly so — but they are not "overregulated." At the same time, childcare providers face significant challenges in attracting and retaining workers. The median wage for childcare workers in West Virginia is approximately $13 per hour, making it difficult to build and sustain a qualified workforce.
Tax Incentives and Partnership Opportunities
Fortunately, programs exist to help address these challenges. The federal Section 45F Employer-Provided Child Care Tax Credit offers substantial assistance to employers who invest in childcare solutions for their employees. In addition, West Virginia House Bill 4007 provides a state tax credit equal to 50 percent of qualified childcare expenses incurred by employers. The federal program also allows small businesses to collaborate in providing childcare facilities, making participation more feasible for employers of all sizes.
A Win-Win for Employers and Families
This presents a potential win-win opportunity. Employers can offer a valuable benefit to their workforce while taking advantage of significant tax incentives. Access to dependable childcare can improve employee recruitment and retention, reduce absenteeism, and strengthen the local workforce.
Working Together for Nicholas County
There is no question that Nicholas County's childcare shortage cannot be solved overnight. However, Byron encourages local employers, business leaders, and community stakeholders to explore the tax incentives and partnership opportunities available for supporting childcare. Expanding access to childcare is not just an investment in working families — it is an investment in the future economic health and prosperity of Nicholas County. We have to work together to make sure the current administration does not cut any of these benefits that would help working people.
"Expanding access to childcare is not just an investment in working families — it is an investment in the future of Nicholas County."
— Byron Tucker Jr.