Small Business for America's Future fielded a national survey of more than 1,000 small business owners on August 2- 20, 2021, to better understand how child care impacts small businesses and how they feel about potential policy solutions.

The national results show strong small business support for federal solutions to address child care:

• 66% of small business owners surveyed nationally believe the federal government has a role in supporting universal access to affordable, high-quality child care
• 64% support direct, ongoing financial assistance to families for child care services
• 70% support federal funding dedicated to providing child care services to underserved communities

The 160 small business owners in West Virginia and the surrounding region responding to the survey say the lack of affordable child care options for employees is an issue that has been exacerbated by Covid and is causing them problems with hiring, impacts their ability to deliver for clients, and forces them to pass up growth opportunities

In a preview of the national results, Small Business for America’s Future and the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce shared the survey responses from small business owners across West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio and Pennsylvania—which echoed the national findings—during a virtual briefing on Sept. 1, 2021. The results showed that the majority of the small business owners surveyed believe that the lack of affordable, high-quality child care for employees has had a negative impact on their business, and most said the federal government has a role to play in supporting universal access to affordable child care.

To review the regional results, read the full report here.

The recording of the virtual briefing can be viewed, here.