Aroostook Child Care Resource Center
An Initiative of
United Way of Aroostook
Aroostook
Child care
resource
center
A strategic plan by stakeholders to find solutions to the childcare crisis in Aroostook County
Enriching Childcare,
Engaging Families &
Enhancing Communities
“Being a part of childcare has been the most rewarding yet difficult experience. Seeing the struggles of families, all staff, and other providers should be reason enough for the community to take the necessary changes in order to keep our children and families with the proper care, education and support needed to succeed.” - Miss Jacqueline,
“We all work within a community system and should be collaborating to support each other and ensuring we are providing the highest quality care for our most precious resource.” - Miss Katie’s Daycare
“We are all in this childcare business together. Parents cannot work, go to school or attend meetings without childcare providers caring for their children. Forming partnerships and working together will ensure the quality care parents depend on and need.”
- Miss Jolene, Circle of Friends
“As a mom, navigating the child care system in central Aroostook has been extremely difficult. I have missed work due to closures, illness and lack of availability. Finding a slot for my infant was impossible after my maternity leave until Miss Jordyn finally had an opening, only to unfortunately close a few months later. Relying on family and friends is not sustainable and I know many parents in the same situation as my family.” - Melanie Tompkins, Mapleton
“There are 14 day care centers throughout the St. John Valley...Many of these centers have long waiting lists for new children. Schick said she has heard from parents in town that there is a need for a day care center, adding that a couple other local centers may be closing soon. [Parent said] ’she’s not going to be able to go to work, because there’s nobody here [to provide day care]’. Many new day care owners, she said, are deterred by the need to constantly fill out paperwork... And she said nearly everyone brings up the need for more day care facilities.” - The County: New day care center helps fill a need in St. John Valley
Why?
Lack of accessible and affordable childcare is a growing economic problem for Aroostook County. It is often cited as the top barrier to employment and acutely impacts the next generation of our workforce.
Making matters worse, our current childcare providers are struggling to keep their doors open due to a lack of staffing, regulatory burden, unpredictable revenue and increasing expenses. This has resulted in a brittle system that we collectively need to actively address.
Our Mission
Our mission includes Enriching Childcare, Engaging Families, and Enhancing Communities. The work of ACCRC will focus on matching childcare services with childcare needs, providing professional development opportunities to early childhood professionals, working with businesses to maintain their workforce, supporting parents and raising public awareness about the importance of quality childcare. ACCRC will be your trusted source for information about quality childcare in Aroostook County.
Aroostook Child Care
Resource Center
An Initiative of
Provider Resources
Recent Updates:
Federal regulations are changing to payments being made a week ahead and enrollment instead of attendance reimbursement
CCAP rate increases