Expanding Access to Affordable Childcare and Pre-K in Fayetteville
- Hayley for Fayetteville
- Jun 12
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 28
Policy Memo
The Challenge
Fayetteville is growing rapidly, but access to affordable, high-quality childcare has not kept pace with that growth.
For many families, childcare is one of the largest monthly expenses they face. The National Database of Childcare Prices reports that childcare costs can consume 20% or more of a family's income, far exceeding the federal affordability benchmark of 7%. Long waitlists and limited availability make the challenge even more difficult, particularly for families with infants and toddlers.
When families cannot find affordable childcare, the impacts ripple throughout the community. Parents may reduce their work hours, delay career advancement, postpone growing their families, or leave the workforce altogether. Employers struggle to recruit and retain workers, and children miss opportunities for high-quality early learning experiences that support long-term success.
At the same time, childcare providers face significant challenges of their own, including workforce shortages, rising operating costs, and barriers to expansion.
Addressing these challenges requires local leadership, strong partnerships, and practical solutions that increase the supply of childcare while supporting the providers who serve Fayetteville families every day.
A Three-Part Strategy for Fayetteville
1. Remove Barriers and Support Childcare Providers
Childcare providers are essential community partners and small business owners. Fayetteville should take steps to help new providers open and existing providers expand.
Key Actions:
• Identify zoning, permitting, and regulatory barriers that may limit the creation or expansion of childcare facilities.
• Waive administrative fees and prioritize expedited permitting for childcare facilities in areas with the greatest need.
• Explore opportunities to utilize city-owned or underutilized properties for childcare facilities through lease agreements or public-private partnerships.
• Partner with Fayetteville's economic development organizations, including Startup Junkie and the Fayetteville Chamber, to provide tailored business support, technical assistance, and entrepreneurial resources for childcare providers.
2. Strengthen Partnerships with Fayetteville's Anchor Institutions
No single organization can solve the childcare shortage alone. Fayetteville should work with existing institutions to expand capacity and create new opportunities for families.
Key Actions:
• Partner with Fayetteville Public Schools to explore the expansion of early childhood programs in available school facilities.
• Support before-school and after-school programming that better aligns with the schedules of working families.
• Partner with the University of Arkansas to create workforce development opportunities for education students while expanding access to early childhood services.
• Evaluate successful regional models to identify strategies that could be adapted for Fayetteville.
3. Bring National Best Practices to Fayetteville
Communities across the country are developing innovative approaches to address childcare challenges. Fayetteville should learn from successful models and adapt them to meet local needs.
Key Actions:
• Explore intergenerational childcare models, such as the nationally recognized program in Jenks, Oklahoma, that combines early childhood education and senior engagement.
• Participate in national learning networks and initiatives focused on early childhood education and workforce development.
• Evaluate opportunities to strengthen childcare access for City of Fayetteville employees as part of broader workforce recruitment and retention efforts.
• Study the feasibility of creating a dedicated local funding stream for early childhood initiatives, including models used in cities such as New Orleans.
Why This Matters
Access to affordable, high-quality childcare is an economic issue, a workforce issue, and a quality-of-life issue.
When families can find reliable childcare, parents can participate fully in the workforce, employers have access to a stronger labor pool, and children gain the foundation they need to succeed in school and life.
As a social worker, former teacher, and mother of three, I understand that strong communities invest in children and families. Fayetteville has an opportunity to take a practical, partnership-driven approach that expands access to childcare, supports providers, and helps ensure that every family has the opportunity to thrive.
By removing barriers, strengthening partnerships, and implementing proven solutions, Fayetteville can build a childcare system that works for families today and supports the city's future growth.