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Purdue Extension presents childcare shortfall and announces Boone County Early Learning Coalition
Summary
Purdue Extension leaders told the council the county faces a shortfall of roughly 700 child‑care seats and announced the newly IRS‑approved Boone County Early Learning Coalition; Extension staff urged investment in affordable early learning to support workforce development.
Andrea Hatfield, county extension director for Purdue Extension, and Hannah Myers, Boone County Extension Board president, presented the office’s 2025 annual report and highlighted early‑learning work aimed at addressing a local childcare gap.
Hatfield summarized Extension programming and described the extension’s partnership role in the newly formed Boone County Early Learning Coalition, which she said recently received IRS approval and is finalizing its board. Michelle Height Thomas, founder of the coalition, told the council she returned to Boone County to help lead early‑learning policy and highlighted a 2024–25 child‑care needs assessment that estimated a shortfall of “almost 700 child care seats.” Hatfield also cited an average annual child‑care cost of $11,232 per family.
Why it matters: Speakers framed affordable, high‑quality early learning as essential infrastructure for a growing county because child care enables workforce participation. Hatfield tied Extension outreach and professional development to immediate provider supports — for example, a provider wellness/appreciation event that organizers said reached 34 early‑learning professionals and delivered professional development that impacted roughly 750 children through improved provider practice.
Council members acknowledged the Extension’s role and were invited to an April 11 open house and fundraising meal; staff said event invitations were previously distributed.
Next steps: Extension asked council members to continue support for programming and to consider the coalition as a partner in future workforce and early‑childhood planning.
