Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/booming-economy-fuels-continued-expansion-of-for-profit-child-care-annual-status-report-13/5013118/
The continuing expansion of the economy, coupled with parents' increasing awareness of the developmental importance of the early years, is spurring the sustained growth of the for-profit child care sector. The leaders of North America's 40 largest for-profit child care organizations were unanimous in their enthusiasm about the soaring demand for child care services. However, these same leaders also observed that the economic factors that are driving the demand for child care are also causing significant problems, such as the shortage of teachers and the difficulty in finding space and contractors.Chains on the Move
As the economy has grown, so has the demand for child care. Clark Adams, CEO of Mulberry Child Care Centers, observes, "This sustained period of
economic growth is spurring a stronger demand for child care than we have witnessed since the mid-80s."
In addition, the recent flurry of excitement about brain research has increased the demand for non-work-related early childhood services. For example, Bruce Karpas, CEO of CrŠme de la CrŠme, reports that in the past year one in three families enrolling children in their centers have stay-at-home moms.
Big chains expand. The seven largest national chains - KinderCare, La Petite, Children's World, Childtime, Bright Horizons, Knowledge Learning Corporation, ...