Poughkeepsie Children's Cabinet Co-Hosts Second Annual Early Childhood Roundtable on Childcare Access

May 12, 2025 - The Poughkeepsie Children's Cabinet, in partnership with the Dutchess County Workforce Investment Board, convened business leaders, childcare providers, educators, and community stakeholders for the second annual Early Childhood Roundtable at the BOCES Conference Center. The full-day event addressed the critical intersection of childcare access, workforce participation, and economic development in Dutchess County, bringing together diverse perspectives to develop actionable solutions to the county's childcare crisis.

The morning session focused on business implications of childcare shortages, with presentations from the Dutchess County Childcare Coalition on their efforts to increase access to daycare county-wide. Business leaders discussed how limited childcare availability affects employee retention, productivity, and their ability to recruit talent to the region. The session highlighted that childcare is not merely a family issue but a fundamental economic development challenge that impacts workforce participation and business competitiveness across all sectors.

The afternoon session featured Dan Wuori, a national early childhood expert, who explored "The Daycare Myth,” challenging common misconceptions about childcare quality, cost, and accessibility. Following Wuori's presentation, participants engaged in a design thinking exercise to brainstorm innovative, community-specific solutions. The collaborative approach encouraged stakeholders to move beyond traditional approaches and consider creative partnerships, policy changes, and investment strategies that could expand childcare capacity while maintaining quality and affordability.

The roundtable reflects the Children's Cabinet's commitment to addressing early childhood as a critical component of the cradle-to-career continuum, recognizing that access to quality childcare is foundational to family economic stability and children's long-term success.