The Columbia County Chamber and the Development Authority of Columbia County hosted the second Child Care Roundtable discussion last week to carry on the discussion about the importance of childcare and the fragility of its current state. This roundtable also included Representative Jodi Lott and members of the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.

Many of the topics of discussion included the need to increase wages, expedite the background check process (especially with out-of-state candidates) and a way to remove the burden of safety training fees often incurred by the newly hired teachers. Though many preschools stated that they are getting more candidates applying for jobs, the quality of those candidates is often below their standards needed to provide high-level care and early education.

The Chamber and the Development Authority will continue to host these conversations so our preschools don’t have empty classrooms due to lack of employees.