Community Resources for Child Care in Central Indiana

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Central Indiana Community Resources

Each Indiana community is unique in its needs and opportunities. Child Care Answers is here to support you as a resident, leader, employee, or supporter of child care in Hamilton, Hendricks, or Marion Counties with community resources for child care.

One common thread runs throughout all of Indiana – affordable, high-quality early care and education is essential. Investments in early childhood education create sustainable, thriving communities. By bringing leaders, organizations, and businesses to the table, we can create scalable, sustainable solutions that benefit families and children for years to come, no matter where you live in Indiana.

Access to high-quality early learning opportunities is foundational to a child’s success in kindergarten and beyond, a family’s ability to achieve self-sufficiency and a community’s economic resiliency.

Early Learning Indiana

Closing the Gap Report

Key Facts

Early Learning in Indiana

The first five years of a child’s life are foundational in their development. Research shows that investments in early care and education result in fewer investments later in the areas of K-12 remediation, health care, criminal justice costs, and more. Accessible and affordable high-quality early care and education creates a two-generational economic impact, allowing parents to participate in the workforce and provide for their families while engaging and educating the next generation workforce.

Lifelong Learning

85% of a child's capacity to learn is developed by age five.

High Cost of Care

The annual cost of care for one child is $9,000 - nearly equal to a year of in-state college tuition.

Return on Investment

For every $1 invested in early learning, $4 are returned to communities.

Few Options

Four out of 10 Hoosier children live in a child care dessert, which means less than one high-quality child care seat exists for every three children. This puts many parents who want or need to work in an impossible situation.

Lack of Quality

Less than one third of Indiana's known child care programs rank as high-quality.

Featured Resource

Early Learning Matters

The key to a thriving community is high-quality, affordable early care and education. Get facts about early care and education in Indiana as well as detailed data and action steps for Hamilton, Hendricks, and Marion Counties.

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thumbnail of first page of early learning matters document

Affordability in

Central Indiana

“Brighter Futures Indiana Data Center.” Brighter Futures Indiana. Accessed August 29, 2022. https://brighterfuturesindiana.org/data-center.

Featured Resource

Central Indiana Early Care & Education Facts

Early childhood care and education not only affects future academic success. It affects community health, criminal activity, family incomes, and corporate bottom lines too. We have a lot of work to do in central Indiana - but, together, we can make the essential accessible to all.

Learning from case studies

Across Indiana

These case studies feature several child care efforts in local communities across the state of Indiana. Varying in size and location, they offer real-world examples of how communities can come together in support of high-quality child care. Get inspired to take action in your own community!

Looking to take that next step? Connect with us in English or Spanish for guidance on how to get active in your community. Or, read ideas on our Get Involved page.

Monroe County

More Than a Decade of Making a Difference for Youth

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Rush County

Making Community Connections to Invest in Early Childhood

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Kosciusko County

Addressing a Child Care Crisis Together

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View in Spanish

Montgomery County

Establishing an Early Childhood Coalition Takes a Village

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Jasper County

Creating a Sustainable Model for Licensed Child Care Centers in Rural Areas

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View in Spanish

Community Engagement Team

We grow with your community

Our team of specialists are in your corner, every step of the way. If you need help understanding your community’s child care needs, creating community resources for families, or advocating for child care in your community, call on one of these caring experts. Fill out our Community Information Form in English or Spanish or call 317.636.5727 to get connected.

“Closing the Gap.” Early Learning Indiana, September 20, 2021. https://earlylearningin.org/closing-the-gap/.

“Cost of Attendance.” Student Central. Accessed December 7, 2021. https://studentcentral.iupui.edu/cost/cost-attendance.html.

Cost of living in Hamilton County, Indiana, accessed December 7, 2021, https://www.bestplaces.net/cost_of_living/county/indiana/hamilton.

“Living Wage Calculator.” Living Wage Calculator – Living Wage Calculation for Hendricks County, Indiana. Accessed December 7, 2021. https://livingwage.mit.edu/counties/18063.

Community Help Guide

Central Indiana Community Resources

Early Learning in Indiana

Lifelong Learning

High Cost of Care

Return on Investment

Few Options

Lack of Quality

Early Learning Matters

Affordability in

Central Indiana

Central Indiana Early Care & Education Facts

Learning from case studies

Across Indiana

More Than a Decade of Making a Difference for Youth

Making Community Connections to Invest in Early Childhood

Addressing a Child Care Crisis Together

Establishing an Early Childhood Coalition Takes a Village

Creating a Sustainable Model for Licensed Child Care Centers in Rural Areas

We grow with your community

Megan Day

India Green

Tom Taylor

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