Benton County Early Childcare Feasibility Study

IFF, in collaboration with Benton’s County’s Economic Development Director Latisha Provo and the Benton County Childcare Coalition, completed a study of Benton County’s childcare needs and potential solutions.

The key findings of the study included:

1. A shortfall of 520 early childhood education childcare seats in the Benton County area (including the towns of Ambia, Boswell, Chase, Earl Park, Fowler, Oxford, Otterbein, and Templeton) – 300 for children aged 0-2 and 220 for children aged 3-5 – in overall need and quality
2. Three potential childcare sites (including Fowler Christian Church, Oxford School Site and Carter Street Site ) and the feasibility of renovation/construction at these sites complete with test fit diagrams for renovation/expansion and related construction costs, as well as operating proformas based on affordability rates for the county
3. Next steps to include: identifying available funding sources, which scenarios are most worthwhile, and a potential site operator for the childcare program