Childcare an Issue For Parents With Non-Traditional Hours

Wyoming Kids Count Director Marc Homer says finding quality child care can be challenging for parents during traditional weekday hours. Finding reliable early care and education becomes more difficult for parents who must work overtime, have rotating shifts, travel for work, or work early morning, evenings, and weekend hours.

Homer says while more providers are becoming more accommodating, there is still a gap. He says in Wyoming, sixteen percent of licensed providers are open before 6am, and fifty-four percent open between 6 am and 7:30 am. Sixteen percent accommodate parents working non-traditional hours by staying open after 6pm, while twenty-five percent are somewhat accommodating, keeping their doors open until 5:30-6pm.  Eight percent of licensed providers are open for business on weekends. Two percent of licensed Wyoming providers are open 24/7 with nearly half of those in Campbell County.