What We Do
Working Together to Build a Stronger Steuben County
Thriving communities begin with strong starts for children. When families have access to affordable, high-quality early learning and care, employers have a more reliable workforce, local businesses grow, and Steuben County is healthier and stronger for everyone.
The Steuben County Early Childhood Coalition (SCECC) exists because these goals are deeply connected. We bring together educators, child care providers, employers, health care organizations, government agencies, nonprofits, and community leaders to address one of Steuben County's most pressing challenges: ensuring every child, from birth through age 5, has access to the early learning experiences they need to succeed.
Why Early Learning Matters
A child's brain develops more rapidly in the first five years than at any other stage of life. Ninety percent of brain development and one million new neural connections are made every second to create the foundation upon which all future learning is built. Every interaction, relationship, and experience helps build the foundation for learning, communication, emotional well-being, and physical health.
When children have positive early experiences, they're more likely to:
Enter kindergarten ready to learn
Read proficiently by third grade
Graduate from high school
Enjoy better physical and mental health
Earn higher wages throughout adulthood
Investing in early learning is one of the most effective ways to improve lifelong outcomes for children and strengthen communities.
That's why the Coalition works to improve early learning and care today—so Steuben County is stronger tomorrow.
Looking for child care options?
Early Learning Is a Community Issue
When families can't find care they can afford—or care that fits their work schedules—children miss valuable learning opportunities, parents leave the workforce, employers lose reliable employees, and the entire local economy feels the impact.
To better understand these challenges, SCECC partnered with Transform Consulting Group to conduct a countywide Steuben County Child Care Landscape Analysis and a community feedback survey. The study included input from 342 community members, including parents and guardians, employers, child care providers, educators, and all four Steuben County school districts.
The findings confirmed what many families and employers already knew: Steuben County needs more affordable, accessible, and flexible child care options.
What the Data Tells Us
Data from the Steuben County Child Care Landscape Analysis and community survey revealed the following key findings.
Child care is a critical workforce issue.
56%
of employers report that child care shortages reduce productivity and contribute to employee turnover.
437
ready-to-work parents are not in the workforce.
$12.1M
estimated annual losses for Steuben County employers due to employees missing work or leaving jobs because of child care challenges.
Child care supply does not meet demand.
2,070
children under age 6 live in Steuben County.
1,289 (64%)
young children in our county need early learning care.
876
is the current capacity of child care programs in the county.
Cost is a barrier for many families.
$87,745
median family income in Steuben County.
$21,154
median income for a single parent with one child living in poverty in Steuben County.
$7,962
average annual child care cost in Steuben County.
Families need more flexible child care options.
12
licensed child care programs currently operate in Steuben County.
6
offer care during nontraditional hours.
6
provide early-morning care.
0
offer overnight care or late-evening care.
Our Five-Year Strategic Plan
The data is clear. Now it’s time to take action.
Using the findings from the Steuben County Child Care Landscape Analysis, the SCECC developed a Five-Year Strategic Plan to guide our work and create lasting change.
1
Establish Coalition Infrastructure
2
Build Awareness
3
Increase Affordability
4
Strengthen Provider Support
5
Support Families
Be Part of the Solution
Improving early learning and expanding access to child care takes an entire community. Your support helps expand opportunities for young children, strengthen families, support local businesses, and build a healthier economy for generations to come.