Timberline Learning Center co-teacher Leah Tharp plays with Fischer Dineen at the preschool in Breckenridge on Friday, Jan. 8. Following the March 2020 COVID-19 shutdown, child care centers were not permitted to reopen until May 11, 2020. Many waited until June to open.
Photo by Jason Connolly / Jason Connolly Photography Editor’s note: The photo in this story has been updated with the correct name of Fischer Dineen.
The Summit Chamber of Commerce hosted a meeting on Thursday, Feb. 11, to discuss the child care issues Summit County faces, as well as potential solutions.
Chamber Executive Director Blair McGary pointed out the lack of consistent, affordable child care in the community, which has only worsened as a result of the pandemic. Nicole Riehl, president and CEO of the Colorado nonprofit Executives Partnering to Invest in Children, talked about ways employers can help their employees manage child care.