County briefing: childcare supply exists but gaps in cost, age mix and transport create access problems

County staff briefed the Board of Supervisors on childcare availability and barriers in James City County and the city of Williamsburg, saying the jurisdiction has multiple licensed centers and programs but that families encounter limited openings for certain ages, costs that strain household budgets and staffing shortages that reduce capacity.

Key points: The presenter reported 37 licensed programs in the county (13 childcare centers, 15 preschools, two family childcare homes and eight school‑age only programs) and 49 programs in the City of Williamsburg. Many centers reported age‑specific openings (some accept only infants or only school‑age children) and multiple programs were operating at capacity with waiting lists. Staffing shortages were cited as an active cause for centers temporarily pausing new enrollments.

Affordability: The board was shown weekly cost ranges by age group (infant, toddler, preschool) with examples ranging to more than $1,000 per month for preschool care in 2023 data used as illustration. The presenter noted typical family childcare costs of roughly $404/month for a school‑age child (one‑adult household) and more than $2,000/month for two adults with an infant and a preschooler (United for Alice 2023 data example), underscoring the financial strain on working families.

Access and transportation: Lack of nearby options and limited public transportation options make drop‑off and pickup difficult for families who lack vehicles. Board members noted programs (Parks & Rec before/after‑school care, extended programs) that help some families, and asked staff to continue exploring options. There were no formal votes; the briefing was informational.