Sustainable Solutions for Transforming Child Care in South Dakota
The South Dakota Child Care Task Force released a report on January 10, 2025, that takes an in-depth look at the current state of early childhood education and care in South Dakota. The report provides critical insights into the landscape and challenges that children, families, employers, and educators across the state currently face.
The report, titled "Sustainable Solutions for Transforming Child Care in South Dakota" compiles data from national and state data sources, including surveys and expert interviews, to assess the strengths and gaps in South Dakota’s current early childhood infrastructure. The comprehensive study examines key issues such as access to high-quality child care, affordability, and workforce development and proposes policy considerations on early childhood initiatives.
The South Dakota Child Care Task Force and The Hunt Institute, which facilitated the task force and wrote the report, held a release event that explored the findings in detail and invited the nearly 200 registered participants an opportunity to ask further questions. A recording of the webinar and a copy of the full report are available on the Early Learner South Dakota website and the Center for Prevention of Child Maltreatment website.
The statewide South Dakota Child Care Task Force is excited to announce its work will continue for another four years. The upcoming year will focus on Out-of-School Time Care.