High-Quality Childcare is Essential to Economic Inclusion Growth
- Apr 30
- 4 min read
Our next generation is essential to the future of an economically prosperous Central Valley. For this reason, Early Matters Fresno was developed as one of Fresno DRIVE’s 14 initiatives to support the collaboration of over 50 members and 9 agencies to improve the lives of young families and children ages zero to five. First 5 Fresno County and Cradle 2 Career lead the coalition to convene early childhood leaders across the county to collaborate and streamline community resources in support of families with young children. Strategic investments in early childhood development increase kindergarten preparedness and support third graders’ reading and math skill levels.
“We know that when our children get off to a strong start in the first five years, they are on a path to economic mobility and success in school, career, and life,” said Early Matters Fresno Organization Lead and First 5 Executive Director Fabiola Gonzalez. “At the same time, we know that when parents raising young children have access to services that are coordinated for impact, the opportunities to support their families and contribute to the overall economy increase.”
Early Matters Fresno’s focus areas are maternal and child health and early care and education. The coalition’s goal is paving a path to economic mobility for 114,600 children by 2035. Nineteen million dollars in public funding, including from the Fresno County ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act), Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, California Department of Education, and California Health and Human Services Agency, and philanthropic dollars aligned toward Early Matters’ efforts have been allocated. To date, investments were made in the following areas: expanding doula services and group prenatal care, growing the early care and education workforce, increasing developmental screening, and partnering with the K-12 school systems to improve kindergarten literacy, and more. As of January 2026, 8,600 children are set on a path toward financial progression.
The coalition has identified four major gaps in childcare: access, affordability, workforce shortages, and quality of care. These gaps are underscored by data that shows alarming trends in equitable access to childcare.
Seventy-Seven percent of children in working families are unserved.
The current cost of childcare per year is equivalent to the cost of one year of college tuition, or approximately $1,200 per month.
The average wage for a childcare provider is $15.53 per hour.
Ninety percent of a child’s brain development happens by age 5, making experiences and connections in childcare environments critical for life-long success.
Children’s Services Network (CSN), an Early Matters Fresno partner agency, has provided essential childcare provider services to Fresno County families of all socioeconomic backgrounds for the past 50 years and served approximately 8,153 children in the 2024-2025 fiscal year alone. CSN acts as the designated resource and referral center for Fresno County families, serving as a trusted partner between parents or guardians and childcare providers. The agency offers a multitude of services including finding childcare providers in specific areas, securing background checks on providers per request, offering subsidized care to families who are eligible for financial assistance, and licensing support and professional development for childcare providers. For families who do not qualify for subsidized childcare, CSN can connect parents or guardians to additional resources. “We want to provide access to quality childcare regardless of income. All babies, regardless of socioeconomic status, deserve to be in a quality care setting,” said CSN Deputy Director Ofelia Gonzalez.
Access to high-quality, affordable childcare is more imperative now than ever and a necessity for furthering Fresno County’s economic inclusion growth. With the rising cost of inflation, most families require parents or guardians to work to afford living expenses. “Inclusive economic mobility and prosperity across our city and county means all of us, as a community, prioritize the health and well-being of individuals raising children in our workforce,” Fabiola said. “Early Matters Fresno continues to bring to the forefront the significance of the right supports in early childhood for the adults raising the next generation.” High-quality childcare access is fundamental to powering the economy. “Childcare continues to be the foundation that allows families to work and go to school to stay economically stable,” Ofelia said. “If we don’t have childcare, how are we going to make money and invest in the local economy?” Ofelia questioned. Parents and guardians are having to make difficult decisions including: ‘Do I pay for quality care, or do I pay for my rent?’
Early Matters Fresno encourages the public to help amplify the monumental childcare crisis. “This is a complex issue that we can only solve together. When families can go to work, Fresno thrives,” Fabiola said. The next step is for elected officials and employers to hear the lived experiences and challenges of those dealing with securing childcare for their families and work to effectively brainstorm solutions. To learn more about Early Matters Fresno, visit: https://earlymattersfresno.org.
To help support CSN’s mission of improving the quality of care for local children, click here to donate, and to learn more about First 5 Fresno County’s work, click here. Donations provide children and families in Fresno County with financial support for basic living expenses. Also, current child caregivers can work with CSN to obtain their licenses to have the ability to care for younger children, helping alleviate the strain of a lack of providers for local infants and toddlers. For more information about receiving subsidized childcare, visit https://www.cvcsn.org/subsidized-child-care. If you’re seeking childcare provider resources, please call 559-456-8195.
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