Today the Salt Lake County Council approved legislative intent to preserve childcare access for low-income and vulnerable families and to explore summer programs for families throughout the county.
The childcare action calls for an evaluation of existing childcare spaces at the Magna, Kearns, and Northwest Recreation Centers to see which ones are viable to lease to potential childcare providers. It also encourages Granite School District to continue leasing space to a childcare partner at the Millcreek facility. This action was sponsored by Council Chair Aimee Winder Newton and Councilmember Laurie Stringham.
“Rising childcare costs and limited availability continue to strain working families across Salt Lake County,” said Winder Newton. “These partnerships can provide childcare spaces while respecting property taxpayers who would not be on the hook to pay for the services.”
“By thoughtfully evaluating these spaces and partnering with qualified providers, we are ensuring that vulnerable families continue to have access to critical childcare services,” said Stringham.
Legislative intent to examine broader summertime programming was sponsored by Councilmembers Jiro Johnson and Suzanne Harrison.
“Many Salt Lake County families, including those affected by the recent decision to close county-operated childcare centers, struggle to find affordable childcare solutions during summer months when school is not in session,” said Johnson. “We care about all families in the county and want to ensure parents have high quality options and programming for their kids.”
“Broader Salt Lake County summertime programming for kids could help fill a needed gap for families who struggle finding affordable and safe summertime care,” said Harrison. “We are pursuing options to help more working families throughout the county.”
Once these options are evaluated, the county council will discuss in a future meeting.
