A recently approved collaboration between Accomack County and Old Dominion University’s Minus 9 to 5 program will further the county’s goal to build robust child care infrastructure and attract businesses.
County Administrator Mike Mason said this type of infrastructure is as important to economic development as an area’s housing market, its utilities, roads, and schools.
The memorandum of understanding, which was unanimously approved by the board of supervisors in June, seeks to establish up to six home-based childcare businesses, each with the potential to accommodate up to 12 children.
This would add another local license-based alternative to center-based options.
Founded in 2016, Minus 9 to 5 is a group of Hampton Roads agencies and organizations that collaborate to solve some of the region’s issues, like child development.
Mason said Accomack County currently fits the criteria to be a “childcare desert.”
These deserts are defined as geographic areas having three or more children under the age of five for every available child care slot.
It becomes a quality-of-life issue, Mason said, to help current and future businesses prosper and for people not to lose wages.
Mason has long advocated for solutions to provide childcare options – including a push for non-traditional options like overnight accommodations to help shift workers.
Jane Elyse Glasgow, Minus 9 to 5’s executive director, and Ja'Ron Vanderhall, its childcare capacity coordinator, attended the meeting and praised Mason for his enthusiasm to find solutions.
For this project, Accomack County will conduct a marketing campaign to find applicants, complete background checks and contribute a total of $40,000 split between the successful applicants who will be picked after a competitive selection process.
Mason said this would include both training and licensure costs, plus funds for purchases like equipment, furniture, laptops with childcare management software, and educational toys.
While any county resident may apply, Mason said more weight will be given to applicants residing in its northern end.
Minus 9 to 5’s staff will then help these entrepreneurs develop their business, along with providing training in child development and emergency care.
One focus will be helping the centers secure a six-month conditional license to begin enrolling children, followed by a renewable two-year license with the state.
A year ago, Minus 9 to 5 launched the same program in Suffolk.
“We are leveraging lessons learned from that program,” Mason said.
Glasgow told WHRO that she expects the recruitment process in Accomack County to commence within the next month or two. Following the selection of successful applicants, she then expects a four-to six-month window to obtain conditional licenses.
“It’s overwhelming to see this long list of things to do, but when you have someone to navigate with you, it gives you more confidence,” she said.
Vanderhall said he was most excited to work with future center operators.
“This means more families can go to work, more entrepreneurs can build a business, and more children can get the strong foundation they deserve,” he said.
