Clayton County Child Care Coalition

08/26/2026

Thank You, City of Marquette!
We are incredibly grateful to the City of Marquette for their generous donation to the Clayton County Child Care Coalition!
Your support toward our Year 1 payout program will directly help strengthen child care employee retention and our local child care labor pool. Investing in the people who care for our children is one of the most important steps we can take toward building a stronger, more sustainable child care system in Clayton County.
Thank you for recognizing the importance of child care and for investing in the people who make it possible every day. Your generosity is making a difference! ❤️
Thank you, City of Marquette, for supporting our child care workforce!

08/21/2026

How Can the Clayton County Child Care Coalition Help Create More Child Care Spaces?
Creating more child care spaces takes more than building new classrooms. It also means supporting the providers we already have, encouraging new providers to enter the field, and understanding the barriers that prevent people from offering regulated child care.
Over the past year, the Clayton County Child Care Coalition has visited all seven child care centers in Clayton County, as well as one registered in-home provider. Through these visits, we are learning more about the challenges providers face and identifying ways the Coalition can help strengthen and expand child care in our community.
We are also working to increase awareness of opportunities to become a registered in-home child care provider. We share information and resources from CCR&R with individuals who may be interested in opening an in-home program and help connect them with the information they need to get started.
Just as importantly, we are reaching out to non-registered in-home child care providers. Rather than simply asking them to become registered, we are taking the time to understand why they have chosen not to register. By collecting this information, we can identify common barriers and determine what resources, support, or changes may help make registration a more realistic option for them.
Our goal is to meet providers where they are, provide information without pressure, and create a stronger support system for anyone interested in providing quality child care.
By strengthening existing programs, supporting potential new providers, and understanding the barriers within our community, the Clayton County Child Care Coalition can help create more accessible, sustainable child care spaces for Clayton County families.

08/18/2026

🌟 The Clayton County Child Care Coalition is working hard to accomplish our 3 goals! 🌟

Have you seen the need for these goals in our community? Maybe you’ve experienced a child care shortage firsthand, struggled to find care, know someone who has, or have seen the challenges our local providers face.

💬 We want to hear your stories! Share your story in the comments or send us a message!

08/14/2026

Aware of the challenges associated with child care in our local communities, the Clayton County Foundation for the Future conducted a study with First Children’s Finance in 2023 to better understand the child care needs of families, providers, and employers in Clayton County. Through this study, nine key findings were identified that highlighted the growing need for accessible, affordable, and quality child care in our community.

The Clayton County Strategic Plan for Child Care was developed by local stakeholders, and the Clayton County Child Care Coalition was formed in June 2025 to implement the plan

08/12/2026

08/12/2026

📊 Accounting & Financial Statements for Family Child Care Providers

Do you know what your financial statements are really telling you about your child care business? 💰

Join us to learn the basics of accounting and gain confidence in understanding your business finances!

In this training, you will:
✨ Learn basic accounting terms
📈 Break down an Income & Expense Statement
💵 Explore a Cash Flow Statement
📋 Understand a Balance Sheet
🎯 Identify strategies to develop financial goals

Understanding your numbers is an important part of building a financially healthy child care business!

Family Child Care Providers — this training is for you! Click on this link to register on I-Power today! https://ccmis.dhs.state.ia.us/trainingregistry/TrainingRegistry/CourseDetail?id=Bfg%2fVV73azI%3d

08/12/2026

⭐️ Introducing Tierney Hoefer! ⭐️
Tierney is the Clayton County Child Care Coalition Coordinator and truly is at the center of our team. In her role, she helps bring childcare providers, community partners, and resources together to strengthen childcare across Clayton County.
Tierney has been involved in childcare for several years, including serving as the Vice President of the Garnavillo Community Daycare Board. Her passion for childcare and the families in our community is a big part of what makes her such an important part of the Coalition.
When asked what drives her, Tierney answered, “Quality child care is such an important aspect of every community, and being able to help strengthen the many great programs that already exist within our county is very important to me. Until having my daughter three years ago, I did not realize the lack of child care seats and how strong of a demand there truly is. Not knowing if I was going to have access to quality care for my little was extremely scary as a new mom. As the child care coordinator, I strive to make an impact and raise awareness, so that new families are ensured quality care.” ❤️
We are so thankful for the time, passion, and dedication Tierney brings to the Clayton County Child Care Coalition and to the families and childcare providers in our community!
Help us give Tierney a big WELCOME & THANK YOU! 👏⭐️

08/12/2026

Your passion for working with young children deserves opportunities to grow!

The TEACH Early Childhood® Iowa Scholarship Program helps eligible early childhood professionals continue their education by providing support for tuition, books, travel, paid release time, and more.

Whether you’re earning your CDA®, taking college courses, or working towards a degree, TEACH can help make your educational goals more achievable.

Because when educators grow, children thrive 💙

Learn more and see if you’re eligible: https://iowaaeyc.org/programs/teach/

08/05/2026

🌟Now Enrolling!🌟Are you pregnant or raising a child under three years of age? You are your child’s first and most important teacher, and we are here to support you on your parenting journey! 💙Our Family Education program is completely FREE and brings personalized support directly to your home. When you enroll, you’ll receive:
👶 Personalized Home Visits: Get guidance, fun activities, and developmental tips!
🩺 Routine Screenings: Make sure your child is meeting those key developmental milestones!
🤝 Group Connections: Meet other local parents and share experiences!
📚 Resource Networks: Connect with helpful services in our community!
Spaces fill up quickly, so don't miss out!
How to Enroll: 📞Call us at: 563-387-1720 📧Email: [email protected]
Tag a friend or share this post to help us spread the word! 👇

07/24/2026