The cost of childcare can be overwhelming for some families. According to Care.com, the average cost is about $875 per week, per child.
To help alleviate some of the burden for residents of Long Beach, the Early Learning Hub was created to connect families with affordable child care providers.
“Sometimes, applying for child care can be a daunting process,” Chief Impact Officer for the Mayor’s Fund, Whitney Leathers said. “Through the hub, families are able to fill out one application that is sent to over 40 providers.”
The Early Learning Hub was established in August 2023 with money from the Mayor’s Fund, a nonprofit that seeks to serve the community of Long Beach.
In the year since its creation, the Early Learning Hub has been able to help over 145 families find affordable child care.
Aside from early learning, the hub also assists with transition enrollment, as children grow older and their needs change.
For new parents, the hub also assists with helping them find opportunities to receive stipends of up to $3,600 to be used for the first 3 months of a child’s care.
“Childcare is the industry that allow other industries to function,” Leathers said. “The Early Learning Hub is also looking to implement business solutions that can lessen the burden of childcare for workers across various industries.”
Families who seek assistance at the Early Learning Hub may also pre-qualify for other resources like Headstart, District Programs and subsidized care.
Part of the success of the hub is the fact that parents and community members were integral in the creation of the program, ensuring that the right kind of care is accessible to the most number of people possible.
Monthly meetings are regularly held and community involvement continues to be a driving force behind the hub’s success.
For more information or to learn about how you can make a donation, be sure to visit them on the web. Applications for scholarship opportunities are also open.
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