Visit spotlights challenges facing area providers, parents

DODGEVILLE, Wis. — On Thursday, September 17, Democratic candidate for Assembly District 51 Ben Gruber visited and toured In The Beginning Child Care & Learning Center in Dodgeville to learn about challenges facing area providers and parents.

Wisconsin’s childcare system is grappling with staffing shortages driven by low wages and a lack of benefits, leading many providers to close, reduce services, or raise rates. Meanwhile, parents who have access to childcare are struggling to afford the high cost, which rivals or exceeds their monthly mortgage payment. According to the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, full-time infant care costs an average of $17,400 per year at centers and $13,000 at family-based programs.

“As a father raising two girls, I understand how important it is for families to have access to reliable and affordable childcare,” said Gruber. “Reliable and affordable childcare is out of reach for too many families in our area, and it’s a big reason why I decided to run for Assembly. We need new leadership because under career politicians like Todd Novak, Wisconsin is moving in the wrong direction on so many issues. The challenges our communities face are a direct result of decisions in Madison that leave childcare providers, public schools, and local public safety and EMS services behind in favor of tax breaks for billionaires and wealthy corporations. It doesn’t have to be this way. We can do better.” 

In The Beginning Child Care & Learning Center is owned and operated by Beth Mikrut-Gilles, with locations in Dodgeville, Boscobel, and Prairie du Chien. The center opened in 2012 and has a total enrollment capacity of 150 children (50 at each location) ranging from infants to 12-year-olds. It employs 36 people between its three locations, bringing 100 years of combined Early Education experience. 

“What I appreciated most was that this wasn’t simply a quick visit or a photo opportunity. Ben took the time to tour our center, talk with our staff, interact with the children, ask questions, and most importantly, listen,” said owner Beth Mikrut-Gilles. “We talked honestly about what child care providers are facing, the challenges of recruiting and retaining quality teachers, affordability for families, and what it truly takes to keep quality child care available in our rural communities. Child care isn’t just a family issue. It’s a workforce issue, an economic issue, and a rural-community issue. If parents can’t find child care, they can’t go to work. And if providers can’t afford to keep their doors open and pay good teachers, our communities feel the impact.”

Gruber said the visit to In The Beginning Child Care & Learning Center reinforced the need for state lawmakers to work directly with childcare providers and families to make care more affordable for parents while helping providers recruit and retain qualified staff. If elected, Gruber said he will work to make reliable, affordable childcare a priority and ensure rural communities in southwest Wisconsin have the resources they need to support working families.

Photo 1 (left to right): Owner Beth Mikrut-Gilles, Director Nicole Frechette, and Ben Gruber at In The Beginning Child Care &  Learning Center in Dodgeville.

Photo 2: Ben Gruber high-fives a young child at In The Beginning Child Care & Learning Center in Dodgeville.

Photo 3: Ben Gruber talks to three kiddos at In The Beginning Child Care & Learning Center in Dodgeville.