Early Matters NEO is a budding coalition of organizations advancing public and private policies that increase access to quality, affordable child care in support of workforce and business growth in Northeast Ohio.
Our Purpose
We activate employers to support workers’ child care needs and advocate for public and private policies that improve access and affordability of child care.
Our Aspiration
Every family has access to quality, affordable child care to support workforce and business growth in Northeast Ohio.
Coalition Members
What We Do
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Build Awareness
We shine a light on the need for quality, affordable child care to propel our economy.
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Support Employers
We serve as a resource for employers to support the child care needs of their workforce and become an employer of choice.
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Encourage Innovation
We encourage local innovation and implementation of best practices around employer-led supports for workers’ child care needs.
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Advocate
We advocate for public and private policies at the local and state level that lead to more accessible and affordable quality child care.
What We Know
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Regions that support accessible and affordable child care outperform others through attractiveness to businesses and top talent, greater workforce participation and substantial economic gains.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation found that child care issues result in an estimated $5.48 billion annual loss for Ohio’s economy.
A 2024 report from the North Carolina Department of Commerce and NC Child highlights immense economic opportunity tied to child care, including an up to a $7.5 billion increase in state GDP and the creation of up to 68,000 new jobs. (North Carolina Health News)
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Supporting workers’ child care needs makes employers more attractive to prospective employees and more competitive in the search for talent.
70% of working parents say they are more likely to choose an employer that provides child care benefits over one that does not. (Care.com)
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Northeast Ohio businesses annually miss out on $121 million from a workforce with lower productivity and shorter tenure.
Child care access and affordability leads to improved workforce participation, productivity and retention—and a stronger bottom line for businesses.
A study by Moms First and Boston Consulting Group found employer-sponsored child care (stipends, on-site, backup) can offer a return on investment as high as 425% through increased productivity, reduced absenteeism (by about 16 days per year), better retention, and stronger recruitment. (Business Insider)
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Northeast Ohio parents annually miss out on $411 million from fewer hours worked, lower wages, time spent searching for a job that fits existing child care arrangements, and diminished future earnings due to less training and experience.
Access to quality, affordable child care enables workers to earn more and fuels career growth.
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Quality early care and education lay the foundation for the workforce of the future. Kids with high-quality early education are more likely to:
be prepared for kindergarten
demonstrate third grade reading proficiency
graduate high school
pursue college or career training
have a successful career and higher earnings as adults.
When workers have access to quality, affordable child care, families, employers and the region prosper.
