Families of all income levels are struggling to find affordable and quality healthcare in the Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro area, a new report found.
Annual childcare costs range from $8,000 to $10,000 per child, according to a recently released needs assessment.
For households earning under $50,000, this represents 25 to 30 percent of their income, far exceeding federal affordability guidelines.
ICYMI
- Augusta County: Childcare center revived with focus on learning in nature
- Augusta County: Childcare center shut down by state; families desperate for alternatives
- CAPSAW survey aims to gauge the childcare landscape, needs of community
“Childcare affects so many areas—employment, housing stability, educational outcomes and family well-being,” said Anna Leavitt, Community Action Partnership of Staunton, Augusta & Waynesboro executive director. “This report helps us understand the scope of the issue and identifies practical steps our community can take together.”
While most parents should see an increase in 2026 in a child tax credit, from $2,000 to $2,200, Republicans have also adopted new measures that could potentially disqualify nearly 2.7 million kids in America. For the first time, in order to qualify for the tax credit, children and at least one of their parents or guardians will have to have a Social Security number.
And while the president has rolled out savings accounts for each child born in 2025 through 2028, it’s not something that will help parents with the growing costs during key developmental years. It appears that parents will be responsible for opening the accounts, which children can withdraw when they turn 18.
Childcare isn’t just an issue for low-income households
The needs assessment also revealed that it’s not just low-income families struggling with childcare, but families across all income levels, due to barriers including the lack of providers and transportation.
Other issues raised among those surveyed include growing waitlists, finding care for families with inconsistent schedules or that work third shift and summer care options.
Augusta Health recently closed its childcare center to the public, offering openings instead to its employees to address its own workforce challenges.
ICYMI
- Childcare parent calls decision by Augusta Health ‘blow to the community’
- Augusta Health Childcare Center closing to public, will serve workforce only
“This study shows what many families in our region have known for a long time.” said Debra Freeman, CEO and executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Waynesboro, Staunton and Augusta County. “Meeting the childcare needs of our community will take all of us working together and growing collaboration across SAW agencies to look at the needs, gaps and actions we can take to address them.”
“This gives me real hope for what we can build,” Freeman said.
The report was completed through a partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Waynesboro, Staunton and Augusta County, the Staunton-Augusta YMCA and CAPSAW.
The report recommends establishing a regional task force to explore private-public partnerships that could address the regional challenges.
The findings showed that future efforts should prioritize:
- Expanding affordable childcare slots
- Supporting childcare options during nontraditional work hours
- Strengthening transportation solutions
- Investing in the childcare workforce to ensure consistent, high-quality care
Other potential outcomes include providing navigational support to families seeking childcare and providing training to expand the childcare workforce. It is also recommended that childcare be integrated into strategies that more broadly address issues related to housing, workforce and poverty.
The next step for the coalition is to share the report with local governments and community partners.
Video: Crystal Graham on local childcare issues
Support AFP
Share
Crystal Graham
