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Participants want community day-care

The results are in from a survey regarding a community child-care facility.

Marion Economic Development Director Jami Williams reported Monday to Marion City Commission that a questionnaire was available on the city's web site for residents to complete regarding child-care issues, and 121 people responded.

Following her presentation, Williams asked the commission for direction regarding the results of this survey. The commission will take the information under advisement.

The results indicated that the majority of those who responded are those who would use the facility.

Here are the results:

1) There is a need for evening and/or weekend care in Marion. 99 yes, 11 no, 8 maybe, 3 no answer.

2) Do you think there is a need for after-school care? 115 yes, 4 no, 2 no answer.

3) How much would you be willing to pay for child care in a facility that is never closed for vacation or illness? 37 no answer, 35 $2-$3 per hour, 23 answered with comments but no monetary amount, 11 less than $2 per hour, 7 $15-$20 per day, 5 $90-$100 per week, 2 $5 per hour, and 1 $75 per week.

4) What hours would you like child-care to be available? Open: 30 7 a.m., 25 8 a.m., 24 before 6 a.m., 17 6 a.m. Close: 36 9 p.m. or after, 25 no answer, 26 6 p.m., 12 5 p.m., 9 7 p.m., 8 8 p.m., 5 4 p.m.

5) How many times per month do you have trouble finding child-care? 40 no answer, 24 less than once, 20 two or three times, 14 one or two times, 13 more than four times, 10 three or four times.

6) Would you like to see transportation offered from school (or preschool) to your child-care facility? 85 yes, 18 no answer, 10 no, 8 maybe.

7) Do you require SRS assistance for child-care? 82 no, 23 no answer, 14 yes, 2 maybe.

8) Do you feel current child- care providers would benefit from knowing children in their care have alternative care in the event of sickness or emergency? 105 yes, 8 no answer, 6 no, 2 maybe.

9) Do you feel that lack of child-care facilities is preventing some people from finding employment? 85 yes, 16 no, 12 no answer, 8 maybe.

10) Would you benefit from having an accredited child-care facility in town (specifically for those pursuing education and seeking financial assistance for child-care)? 76 yes, 24 no answer, 17 no, 4 maybe.

11) Would you like to see a child-care and preschool facilities operate in the same building? 98 yes, 8 no, 8 maybe, 7 no answer.

12) Are you in favor of a city-owned community child-care facility? 94 yes, 13 maybe, 9 no, 5 no answer.

Comments made by participants included expanded day-care availability with early morning and late evening hours, open weekends and holidays, and even 24 hours. Some wanted Head Start and a preschool in the same facility.

Suggestions included a sliding fee scale based on income, and be privately-owned with the city assisting the new business.

Some child-care providers said they were concerned about their current business being affected and would support a community day- care as long as they aren't affected.

Overall, participants support a day-care center with extended hours and qualified, competent workers.

A feasibility study could be done to determine the size of facility, construction and operation costs, number of children to serve, the types of programs, and hours of operation.

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