On Oct. 14, 2025 the Regional Industry Support Enterprise (RISE) unveiled the results of a comprehensive study examining the demand and marketplace for childcare services for the eight-county RISE region: Bryan, Bulloch, Candler, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Liberty and Screven.

The report was prepared by Georgia Southern University’s (GSU) Center for Business Analytics and Economic Research and EDA University Center Program, with funding from Norfolk Southern‘s Thriving Communities grant program.

“By understanding the real challenges related to childcare, meaningful steps can be taken to support families, childcare providers and employers. Quality childcare isn’t just a family issue; it’s an economic one. When parents have reliable, affordable childcare, our entire region benefits,” said RISE President and CEO Anna Chafin.

“Norfolk Southern supports initiatives that turn communities into thriving places to call home, and having robust childcare is key to any successful community,” said Kristin Wong, Director, NS Foundation & Community Impact. “Accessible childcare strengthens families and enables parents to pursue education and employment opportunities. These are critical drivers of economic mobility. This study will help provide a roadmap to accessible childcare for the region’s families for years to come.”

“This study demonstrates how Georgia Southern continues to serve as a vital partner for our region—providing real-time information and data that help our businesses and communities make informed decisions,” said Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero. “Addressing critical infrastructure needs like childcare is essential to Southeast Georgia’s continued growth and success, and we are proud to contribute to shaping that future.”

The analysis, which focused on the period between 2024-2033, confirmed that as new jobs are created, new demand for childcare services, especially for infants and toddlers, will rise significantly. The study underscores the crucial role childcare plays in the economy, allowing parents and guardians to fully participate in the workforce.

Among the findings:

  • Baseline regional population is expected to grow 13 percent by 2033. If usage and availability remain the same as in 2024, 781 children will be in paid care arrangements by 2033. The most critical needs for children are in the infants and toddlers age groups.
  • If childcare remains as available as it is in 2025, 26,185 children aged 0-14 will require childcare during peak childcare demand in 2028, or 4,925 more children than in 2024. In 2033, this number is expected to be 24,077 or 3,447 more children than in 2024. Additionally, if childcare were to meet national goals for affordability, then regional demand for childcare could increase by more than 30 percent.
  • Two factors limit available childcare the most: working outside the 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Friday schedule and parents of infants and toddlers.
  • To meet the 2028 peak, the eight-county region will need 1,748 more licensed slots. The average childcare center has 40 slots assigned, meaning 44 more childcare centers are needed to meet demand.
  • The average weekly price in the eight counties for full-time care for a child is $177, which is 13 percent of the median household income. Average prices are highest for infants at $192 per week, or 14 percent of the median household income. The current standard for affordable childcare is about seven percent of household income, as defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The childcare report highlights that some of the biggest challenges facing childcare providers today is finding the right balance between affordability, quality, growth and maintaining qualified staff. Many providers operate with low and unpredictable revenue, making it difficult to expand or offer competitive wages, leading to high turnover. At the same time, childcare costs are already high for families, and raising rates further could make care inaccessible while forcing some providers to operate below capacity.

The study analyzed the average weekly price families pay for full-time childcare for a 3-4-year-old, which includes preschoolers in the eight counties, along with the new weekly wages for childcare workers if they were set at living wages. In 2025, the weekly average price of full-time care for a 3–4-year-old child was $183. This is based on the median wage of a childcare worker, which is $13.06 per hour. If only the pure wages paid to childcare employees rose to the current living wage as defined by United for ALICE, the average weekly cost of full-time care would increase to $261.

As a part of the study, GSU provided best practices and actionable items that can support the childcare industry in the region including:

  • Additional support networks should be created to connect providers to resources. These networks could be very beneficial for Family Child Care Learning Homes, which are looking for additional training and advocacy resources.
  • Childcare providers, local officials, provider networks and technical colleges should develop a strategic plan to promote collaboration and foster relationships with childcare providers.
  • Local employers are best positioned to expand childcare availability during non-standard hours.
  • Utilize tax incentives that apply to the development of childcare facilities.
  • If an employer chooses to develop childcare, they can either establish a preferred provider relationship with an existing provider or develop a new contract center that can serve their employees.
  • Zoning laws can be changed to facilitate the creation of new providers.
  • Develop grassroots grant programs to help cover small expenditures and alleviate some of the financial stress of running a childcare facility.

The Childcare Demand Forecast & Market Analysis can be found here.