Published in the September 15, 2017 edition

MELROSE — On Sept. 12, the Melrose Commission on Women released a survey for parents or guardians of pre-school aged children to better understand the current state of childcare in Melrose.

“The increase of families with young children and the perceived shortage of childcare options in our area have driven up the cost of care to a level that makes it difficult to pay,” said Sam Hammar, Women’s Commissioner and Childcare Subcommittee Chair. “Women are impacted the hardest by this issue since we are more often the partner (if there is one) that makes a lower salary and thus have to be more flexible with our careers, or even stop working for time when the cost of childcare is too high. In a high cost-of-living area, these years lost are devastating for re-entering the workforce and maintaining financial stability.”

“As a parent, I understand the challenges associated with quality, affordable childcare in Melrose and throughout Massachusetts,” said Melrose Mayor Rob Dolan. “I applaud the Melrose Commission on Women for their efforts exploring this important issue and gathering feedback from the community.”

“The cost of care is not just a women’s issue. It is a working family issue,” Hammar continues. “The reality of low supply and high costs have raised the issue of dependent care to the forefront of our policy dialogue.”

The Melrose Commission on Women is gathering experiences with finding and maintaining childcare. Input from the survey will be used to inform and advocate our city, state, and national leaders on the issue.

The Survey can be found at bit.ly/costofchildcare.

About The Melrose Commission on Women: The Melrose Commission on Women (“MCW”) works to study, understand, educate, and promote constructive action in areas of interest and concern to women and girls in the community. As a central voice representing the interests of women and girls in the community, the Commission facilitates and promotes economic, health, safety, education, leadership, and advocacy opportunities for women, foster the advancement of women and girls toward full equality in all areas of life, and provides the Melrose community with a needed vehicle for information, advocacy, and action on issues affecting women. MCW is committed to diversity and seeks to improve the lives of women with diverse racial, ethnic, religious, age, sexual orientation, and socio- economic backgrounds.