​Last week, we were proud to stand alongside incredible partners—including Mayor Bogdala, County Executive Kerkman, Kenosha Public Library, and Lov N Care Children’s Academy—to celebrate the vital role early childhood plays in strengthening our community.
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Moments of celebration remind us why this ongoing work matters.

📊 Did you know?
➡️ Kenosha’s licensed child care centers have the capacity to serve about 5,400 children.
➡️ Yet, there are more than 7,500 children under age 6 in Kenosha with all available parents in the workforce—leaving about 2,200 children (29%) potentially without access to care.
➡️ Across Wisconsin, child care providers report being under capacity by 33,000 children, largely due to workforce challenges.
➡️ Half of providers have waitlists—so true availability may be even lower.
➡️ This gap is impacting working families and contributing to at least $1.1 billion annually in lost economic productivity and revenue across the state.
➡️ Wisconsin’s female labor force participation rate is 5% higher than the national average—highlighting how essential access to quality child care is to our economy.

We are deeply grateful to the families, educators, librarians, providers, and local leaders working every day to ensure children thrive.

Together, we’re building a better future for every child.

Calling all Early Childhood Educators! Join us for the Smart Beginnings: ECE meeting on April 15th at 12:30 PM on Zoom. Don't miss this opportunity to connect and collaborate!
For more details, contact Maggie Campbell, Director of Strategic Initiatives.

At Building Our Future, we are committed to finding solutions that support families and children in our community. We believe that by understanding the data and engaging in thoughtful discussion, we can work together to create positive change. This month we want to share a data visualization presented by the University of Wisconsin’s Public Health Institute that sheds light on the unaffordability of childcare in Wisconsin. If you have been following BOF’s work, you’ll know this is a pressing issue, and Kenosha is not immune to its impact.
 
The map we are sharing highlights the alarming extent of childcare costs across the United States and provides a specific comparison for Kenosha County. It reveals the challenges faced by families in accessing affordable childcare and brings attention to the need for actionable solutions.
 
We encourage you to explore the interactive dashboard, which showcases the data visualization. As you interact with the map, we invite you to consider the following questions:
 
What stands out to you the most?
What might the ripple effects to the economy look like if nothing is done about childcare affordability?
What are all the components that need to change for childcare to become affordable for families?
How can you leverage this data to advocate for more accessible and affordable childcare options in Kenosha?