Dunn County Residents Asked to Participate in Child Care Survey

DUNN COUNTY, Wis. (WCFW / WSCM) – Dunn County residents are being asked to share their feedback on the area’s childcare industry through an online survey launched on Monday.

The online survey was shared by the Health Dunn Right Child Care Action Team. According to a press release, the organization seeks to learn more about child care needs directly from people who live and work in Dunn County.

The survey asks residents for input on what types of child care they use, how much it costs, and any struggles they face trying to balance work and family. It officially opened on Monday and will be available to residents until Nov. 7.

Inadequate access to affordable child care was also identified as one of the biggest health issues for Dunn County residents in a 2024 assessment by the Health Department. That assessment found that families are either struggling to find available child care or struggling to afford the child care services they do find despite working full time.

As a result, families are more often facing the decision to remain in the workforce and pay for child care or leave the workforce entirely. The Health Department also noted that children are missing out on critical early learning opportunities and support services without easy access to child care.

The need for more affordable child care in the area may only grow in the coming years. The Menomonie Housing Committee recently recommended a number of affordable housing actions to the City Council, including incentives to attract new housing developments and potentially reducing the minimum lot size for single family homes. More affordable housing with higher density could bring more younger families with a larger need for affordable child care.