Working parents are rethinking their work arrangements due to the ongoing child care crisis, which highlights the need for innovative solutions to increase the supply of accessible, affordable, flexible, and high-quality care options. Microcenters — small, one-classroom child care centers located in existing community spaces managed by experienced “Hubs” — offer a possible scalable solution. These microcenters provide a personalized and community-focused approach to child care, often integrating local resources and support systems, that can adapt quickly to the specific needs of the families they serve.
Large centers, which offer formal structures for many children, and family childcare homes, which provide a more intimate setting for smaller groups, traditionally make up the childcare sector. Like all approaches to child care, these models have some limitations in meeting the diverse needs of families, especially in rural and under-resourced areas due to facilities and staffing issues. Nebraska, for example, shows a distinct shortage, particularly in rural areas and under-resourced communities. Over the past five years, Greater Nebraska has seen a 13.2% decrease in family child care homes, while metro areas have experienced a 19.4% decrease.
Microcenters can offer a middle ground, providing the formality and structure of traditional centers with the intimacy and flexibility of home-based care. They typically serve 30 or fewer children, and can be established in available spaces like unused offices, schools, or community hubs. This model is already gaining traction in states like Oregon, Indiana, Massachusetts, and Tennessee, where pilot programs are exploring its potential to meet the unique needs of communities. Microcenters have immense potential, but they face significant regulatory hurdles that must be addressed to realize their full impact.
Expert Insights: Louise Stoney, Opportunities Exchange
In a recent episode of “Continuing the Conversation,” our senior director, Aaron Merchen, sat down with early childhood expert Louise Stoney, a Co-Founder of Opportunities Exchange, to discuss microcenters, their immense potential, and the regulatory challenges that prevent their growth.
“Right now, we certainly have two categories of care – child care centers and family child care homes. But what if you’re just a one-room early childhood program? Maybe you’re not really going to be able to comply with the rules for a child care center, but you’re also not allowed to be licensed as a family child care home.”
- Louise Stoney
Working Together to Find Solutions
The first rule of creating new or innovative approaches to child care is to ensure the safety and well-being of the children. Some particularly rigid or outdated regulatory barriers may make it more difficult to pivot away from traditional care models. In Louisiana, regulatory requirements applicable to larger centers, make it more difficult for microcenters to operate. Zoning ordinances and insurance requirements create significant hurdles for these smaller, community-based programs. However, by collaborating with state and local leaders, businesses, and the early childhood education sector, these challenges can be overcome. Streamlining regulations, offering support, and raising awareness of the microcenter model can significantly expand access to quality child care.
As the potential of microcenters is explored, it’s important to recognize their benefits for families, providers, and employers. Families experience a more personalized environment with smaller group sizes, reduced risk of illness spread, and greater accessibility to quality care within their communities. Providers benefit from shared services, reduced overhead costs, and new career pathways. Employers can support their workforce by offering one-site or near-site microcenters as part of their benefits package.
The child care crisis requires bold and creative solutions, and microcenters can represent a critical piece of the puzzle. By exploring this innovative model, build a more responsive, equitable, and sustainable child care system that meets the diverse needs of all families can be built. The time to act is now — the potential of microcenters is too great to ignore.
About the authors
Sasha Nicholas
Sasha (Saputo) Nicholas is an associate manager of early childhood education programs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
