Local child care gap worsened by low wages

Low wages deterring people from pursuing early childhood education careers represent an obstacle to bridging the local child care gap that is keeping parents out of the workforce, business advocates and child care providers say.

Area business advocates are finding interest among employers in offering child care benefits in an effort to attract and retain employees, after a study commissioned by the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce last year found that a lack of affordable options is keeping would-be working parents at home, taking care of young children.