Child Care training grants available

A local child care non-profit group announced it is offering grants and training to new child care workers. 

The organization, according to materials released by Childcaring Inc last month, is offering “free child care foundational training, free pediatric care and CPR training, a $5,000 stipend to the program and a group center job or assistance in family care startup.

According to the materials, the applicant must remain on the job for two years or would need to pay back the training costs. 

The announcement comes as state and local governments are working to find ways to stem the tide of rising child care costs and fewer child care spots available. 

In Marathon County, the number of child care providers has dropped from 199 programs in 2012 to 83 as of June (up from 82 in 2023). That’s led to huge waiting lists for child care spots and rising costs for families looking for child care. 

It’s become an economic issue too because many parents are choosing to not work because the child care costs are so high.