News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
UCHRA Executive Director Mark Farley said a proposed state bill that would establish a childcare scholarship program would help the Upper Cumberland’s capacity.
The Promising Future Last Dollar Scholarship will pay for the remaining funds families need to enroll a child. Farley said the funding would allow more small facilities to succeed.
“It’ll allow our smaller operations to charge what they need to charge to be successful,” Farley said. “Just about all the childcare facilities are at the low end of what they need to be charging. So this will hopefully put more money in the system, make it more a more viable business opportunity and then have more people interested in starting childcare.”
Farley said a main reason why the Upper Cumberland does not have adequate childcare space is due to the operation costs. Farley said it usually takes about 75 children in order to be financially successful.
Much like the Tennessee Lottery, the Promising Future Program will use revenue from sports gambling.
