Sharing the insights from the design research and synthesis phase of T Lab's Cohort 1 Childcare Team.

1. Child Care
Quality & Affordable
RESEARCH SHAREOUT

2. ”The only
difference between
someone who is
homeless and me
is that I got an
education, and I
could only do that
because I had
child care.”
Monique Villagran, Single Mother of Two,
Senior Program Officer, Low Income
Investment Fund

3. “Quality care drives economic
growth in communities—
children become ready for
school, parents to work, and
employers to have reliable
workers because their children’s
needs are being taken care of.”
Jerry Cutts, President, First Children’s Finance

4. James Heckman, Nobel Prize-Winning Economist
“Investment in early childhood programs
[which starts at infancy] shows a
7% to 10% per year return
on investment based on increased school
and career achievement as well as reduced
costs in remedial education, health and
criminal justice system expenditures.”

5. !5
Prenatal - 3 yrs 4-5 yrs School Post-School
ReturnstoaUnitDollarInvested
Returns to a
Dollar Invested
James Heckman

6. “Child care should be
viewed as part of the
education spectrum,
because it is.”
Janet Zamudio, Director of Parent Services,
Children’s Council of San Francisco

7. in cut funding the
last five years
$1
billion

8. in cut funding the
last five years
$1
billion
lost to kids who could
have gotten a spot
= 110,000
spaces

9. in cut funding the
last five years
$1
billion
lost to kids who could
have gotten a spot
110,000
spaces=
”Every space lost lll
has ripple effects.”

10. Child Care
Children
Parents
Providers
Public
Health
Criminal Justice
WelfareHousing
Employers
Businesses
Neighborhoods
Taxpayers
Economy
Society
Education Schools
Social
Justice
Families
Employment

11. Children
Parents
Providers
Public
Health
Criminal Justice
WelfareHousing
Employers
Businesses
Neighborhoods
Taxpayers
Economy
Society
Education Schools
Social
Justice
Child Care Families
Employment

12. Children
Parents
Providers
Public
Health
Criminal Justice
WelfareHousing
Employers
Businesses
Neighborhoods
Taxpayers
Economy
Society
Education Schools
Social
Justice
Child Care Families
Employment

13. Children
Parents
Providers
Public
Health
Criminal Justice
WelfareHousing
Employers
Businesses
Neighborhoods
Taxpayers
Economy
Society
Education Schools
Social
Justice
Child Care Families
Employment

14. Child Care
Children
Parents
Providers
Public
Health
Criminal Justice
WelfareHousing
Employers
Businesses
Neighborhoods
Taxpayers
Economy
Society
Education Schools
Social
Justice
Families
Employment

15. of a California single
mom’s salary is
spent on infant care
49%

16. of a California single
mom’s salary is
spent on infant care
49%
of kids who qualify
for subsidized care
receive it
8%

17. of a California single
mom’s salary is
spent on infant care
49%
of kids who qualify
for subsidized care
receive it
8%
kids waiting for
subsidized care
in San Francisco
4,000

18. A lack of affordable, quality child care
prevents low-income parents from
pursuing a strong, sustainable future
for themselves and their children.
The Challenge

19. A lack of affordable, quality child care
prevents low-income parents from
pursuing a strong, sustainable future
for themselves and their children.
How might we make quality,
affordable child care more
accessible for low-income parents?
The Challenge

20. QUALITY
P
Defining Success
A successful
opportunity would
take into account
these four areas: SUPPLY
COST
$
ACCESS

21. Process

22. TODAY
!
• Present research findings
• Discussion and feedback on initial insights
• Generate ideas
Agenda

23. Elena Monica Dilsa Alicia Vanessa
Bini Lupita Meredith Carolyn Sarah
Parents

24. Nina Gwen Raj
Susan Beiling Rebeca Cheryl
Providers

25. Natalie Tercero September Jarrett Dr. Marcy Whitebook
Martina Ayala
Dan Trimble
Monique Villagran
Claudia Quinonez Phillip Warner
Janet Zamudio Michael Williams
Dr. Monica BarczakCandace Wong Jerry Cutts
Elise Crane
Grace Meregillano
Experts and Supports

27. SECONDARY
SOURCES
TON POST-ITS
(Thankfully only less
than 1% of a tree)
1802 HUGS FROM
ADORABLE BABIES
21
PARENT
INTERVIEWS
12 PROVIDER
INTERVIEWS
11 CHILDCARE
SUPPORTERS
16
Research Totals

28. Process Terminology
INSIGHTS ACTIONS HOW MIGHT WE?
Daylight Design

29. OPPORTUNITIES
!
• Connect the Dots
• Scale the Workarounds
• Build Bridges
Framing

30. Connect
the dots.

31. 1

32. “What? I haven’t
applied for
anything yet!”
Monica, Mother of a 4-Month Old,
Upon hearing about waitlist lengths

33. Sarah, Mother of Two
“I wish I could find out if there is
state assistance for child care. I don’t
know if there is any.”

34. ”When parents reach out
for resources, they’ve
already had their child,
and need child care
immediately.”

35. Insight
New parents assume child care will be
available when they need it and are left in a
bind when they find out how difficult it is to
secure affordable care.

36. Help parents strategize early
on so they have affordable child
care options when needed.
Action
New parents assume child care will be
available when they need it and are left in a
bind when they find out how difficult it is to
secure affordable care.

37. How might we
make planning for child
care more like college or
retirement planning?
How might we
make it easier for parents
to find comprehensive
resources anywhere (á la
Children’s Council)?

38. 2

39. “My favorite part of the
day is in the classroom.
What bogs me down is
the paperwork. There is a
lot of reporting. And it
takes hours.”
Gwen, Site Director, 24 Hour Children’s Center

40. Monique Villagran,
Former Site Director, Senior Program Officer,
Low Income Investment Fund
”We all care about kids, but, if
ultimately you can’t run a business,
you’re not serving the kids.”

41. Survival
Mode
Start Build Overburdened Stay for
the Kids
Growth
Development
Innovation

42. Survival
Mode
Build Overburdened Stay for
the Kids
Growth
Development
Innovation
Start

43. Survival
Mode
Overburdened Stay for
the Kids
Growth
Development
Innovation
Start Build

44. Survival
Mode
Stay for
the Kids
Growth
Development
Innovation
Start Build Overburdened

45. Growth
Development
Innovation
Start Build Overburdened Stay for
the Kids
Survival
Mode

46. Growth
Development
Innovation
Start Build Overburdened Stay for
the Kids
Survival
Mode

47. Growth
Development
Innovation
Overburdened Stay for
the Kids
Survival
Mode
Start Build

48. Growth
Development
Innovation
Overburdened Stay for
the Kids
Survival
Mode
Start Build
PAPERWORK

49. Growth
Development
Innovation
Overburdened Stay for
the Kids
Survival
Mode
Start Build
Burnout
PAPERWORK

50. Growth
Development
Innovation
Overburdened Stay for
the Kids
Survival
Mode
Start Build
Burnout
PAPERWORK
Overwhelmed

51. Growth
Development
Innovation
Overburdened Stay for
the Kids
Survival
Mode
Start Build
Burnout
PAPERWORK
Overwhelmed
No Control

52. Growth
Development
Innovation
Overburdened Stay for
the Kids
Survival
Mode
Start Build
Burnout
PAPERWORK
Overwhelmed
“Just Getting
Through the Day”
No Control

53. Growth
Development
Innovation
Overburdened Stay for
the Kids
Survival
Mode
Start Build
Burnout
PAPERWORK
Fragmented
Overwhelmed
“Just Getting
Through the Day”
No Control

54. Growth
Development
Innovation
Overburdened Stay for
the Kids
Survival
Mode
Start Build
Burnout
PAPERWORK
Fragmented
Overwhelmed
“Just Getting
Through the Day”
Fear
No Control

55. Growth
Development
Innovation
Overburdened Stay for
the Kids
Survival
Mode
Start Build
Burnout
PAPERWORK
Fragmented
“Limping Along”
Overwhelmed
“Just Getting
Through the Day”
Fear
No Control

56. Growth
Development
Innovation
Overburdened Stay for
the Kids
Survival
Mode
Start Build

57. Overburdened Stay for
the Kids
Survival
Mode
Start Build Growth
Development
Innovation

58. “I can say the paperwork
is easier, because we have
enrollment specialists and
people who help.”
Raj, Site Director, Kidango

59. Insight
Directors are stretched thin, balancing too
many roles, and lacking consistent support
to break beyond survival mode.

60. Support directors in their roles as
visionaries by providing continuous
and relevant support—from
starting, to scaling, to thriving.
Action
Directors are stretched thin, balancing too
many roles, and lacking consistent support
to break beyond survival mode.

61. How might we
take away some of the
logistical burdens from
directors, so they can
focus on moving their
businesses forward?
How might we
give directors the same
support that visionary
CEO’s receive?

62. Scale the
workarounds.

63. 3

64. “I coached Rebeca through
balancing her living and
working space. I love
helping people like her.”
Martina Ayala, Former Child Care Provider
and Community Leader

65. “When one of us
has an emergency
or is at capacity,
we work together.”
Rebeca Leon, Single Mother and
Home-Based Child Care Provider

66. Nina, Founder, 24 Hour Children’s Center
”There used to be lots of centers.
We used to lobby together for funding,
but they’ve all closed down.”

67. Insight
When providers form organic networks
with other providers to balance needs and
resources, everyone benefits.

68. Enable and support
collaborations between
providers.
Action
When providers form organic networks
with other providers to balance needs and
resources, everyone benefits.

69. How might we
encourage networks
amongst isolated
providers?
How might we
develop ways for
providers to share
resources?

70. 4

71. “We don’t have time
to apply for funds.
What we need, is a
grant writer.”
Nina, Founder, 24 Hour Children’s Center

72. “Our central meal center
gives us $230,000 profit in
cold, hard cash.”
Dan Trimble, Director of Communications
and Development, Kidango

73. “Our central meal center
gives us $230,000 profit in
cold, hard cash.”
Dan Trimble, Director of Communications
and Development, Kidango
“I ask full-paying parents to
bring organic produce every
week so I can provide good
meals for everyone.”
Rebeca Leon, Home-Based Child Care Provider

74. “We raise 2
million each year
to subsidize the
costs of the
center and have
two development
staff to help us
do that.”
Beiling, Admissions Director, Holy Family

75. Insight
With limited and fluctuating external
funding, providers must find creative ways
to become more self-sufficient.

76. Help providers find funding
alternatives that are right for
them, and equip them with the
tools and support to make those
alternatives a reality.
Action
With limited and fluctuating external
funding, providers must find creative ways
to become more self-sufficient.

77. How might we
creatively fundraise like
nonprofits (á la Save the
Children or Kiva)?
How might we
create mutually
beneficial partnerships
between corporations
and local providers?

78. Build
Bridges.

79. 5

80. “When you
are working,
you make too
much money
for welfare,
but it is still
not enough.”
Carolyn Sanchez,
Mother of 3

81. “My mom is in
Mexico. My whole
family is there.
Who can I get
help from?”
Monica Martinez,
Mother of an Infant and
La Cocina Entrepreneur

82. ”Immigrant families are the
most vulnerable, without
access to CalWorks or family
supports, but often still in
need of assistance.”

83. “You have to help
each other. When we
work, our child is in
play dates… When my
son is swimming, I pick
up my friend’s son.”
Dilsa, Mother and La Cocina Entrepreneur

84. Insight
Families who are left out of existing
support systems rely on ad-hoc and
unreliable solutions for child care.

85. Enable consistent and creative
solutions for the families that
are missing out on traditional
supports.
Action
Families who are left out of existing
support systems rely on ad-hoc and
unreliable solutions for child care.

86. How might we
mimic the family
supports that many
people rely upon to help
those without family
support systems?
How might we
turn existing ad-hoc
solutions into reliable
solutions for “left out”
families?

87. 6

88. “I want to be so
close to my
children, but I
don’t see them
until so late.”
Alicia Villanueva, Mother of 3, La
Cocina Entrepreneur

89. “The extra
income of me
working would
be useful, but I
don’t want her
growing up
without me.”
Carolyn Sanchez,
Stay-at-Home Mother of 3
“I want to be so
close to my
children, but I
don’t see them
until so late.”
Alicia Villanueva, Mother of 3, La
Cocina Entrepreneur

90. “Daycare is only
during the
daytime, and I
work 2pm - 2am.”
Sarah, Single mother of 2,
working at a restaurant

91. Insight
Parents want it all—a good future
for their child and the chance to
spend time with them, but rarely is
it easy to have both.

92. Make working and
parenting complementary,
and not in conflict.
Action
Parents want it all—a good future
for their child and the chance to
spend time with them, but rarely is
it easy to have both.

93. How might we
make existing
work more flexible
to accommodate
kids’ needs?
How might we
help low-income
parents access
more flexible jobs
(á la La Cocina)?
How might we
get kids and parents
closer to each other
during the work day?

94. 7

95. “Most parents prefer that
a relative takes care of
their children. So a high
percentage use license
exempt care...but that
is unregulated.”

96. “If we could
have child care
at La Cocina,
then the kids
could socialize.”
Bini Pradhan, Mother of One, who
uses unlicensed babysitters

97. Insight
Many families prefer a family member
or friend (unlicensed care) for child care,
yet this means parents miss out on
quality assurances and kids miss out on
critical learning alongside other kids.

98. Bring the benefits of licensed
care to unlicensed settings.
Action
Many families prefer a family member
or friend (unlicensed care) for child care,
yet this means parents miss out on
quality assurances and kids miss out on
critical learning alongside other kids.

99. How might we
inspire unlicensed
care givers to provide
educational
opportunities?
How might we
help parents monitor
quality for unlicensed
providers?

100. 8

101. ”If I get more, I need
sprinklers, I need a check up
from the fire department,
more time, more hiring…
It’s too much.”
Rebeca Leon, Single Mother and
Home-Base Child Care Provider

102. “The publicly funded sites
are more expensive to
run than the privately
funded sites. We actually
have to use funds raised
in the private sites to
fund the public sites.”
Dan Trimble, Director of Communications
and Development, Kidango

103. Insight
Quality standards are necessary,
but their costs can disincentivize
providers from scaling.

104. Facilitate quality and
growth simultaneously.
Action
Quality standards are necessary,
but their costs can disincentivize
providers from scaling.

105. How might we
make quality pay
off financially?
How might we
make childcare more
like public school,
where there’s always
a spot available?

106. CONNECT THE DOTS
!
• Help parents strategize early on so they have
affordable child care options when needed.
• Support directors in their roles as visionaries by
providing continuous and relevant support—from
starting, to scaling, to thriving.
Opportunity Areas

107. SCALE THE WORKAROUNDS
!
• Enable and support collaborations between providers.
• Help providers find funding alternatives that are right
for them, and equip them with the tools and support
to make those alternatives a reality.
Opportunity Areas

108. BUILD BRIDGES
!
• Enable consistent and creative solutions for the
families that are missing out on traditional supports.
• Make working and parenting complementary, and
not in conflict.
• Bring the benefits of licensed care to unlicensed
settings.
• Facilitate quality and growth simultaneously.
Opportunity Areas

109. Child Care
Quality & Affordable
THANKS!