AdvanceVT, a National Science Foundation-sponsored comprehensive program at Virginia Tech that promotes and enhances the academic careers of women in science and engineering, has released the findings of a questionnaire that addressed childcare needs of the university community.

"The survey clearly shows that finding appropriate childcare is a challenge for many parents at Virginia Tech, and that there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution," said AdvanceVT Program Coordinator Peggy Layne. "The responses to the survey can provide the basis for an evaluation of the business aspects of various approaches to meeting the needs of the university community."

Completed by nearly 1,400 university faculty, staff, and graduate students during the spring 2004 semester, the questionnaire was designed to determine what childcare arrangements are being used, what types of childcare parents would like to have available, and the impact of childcare on parents’ ability to do their jobs.

More than half of the 1,400 survey respondents report having children age 12 or younger, and over a third indicate plans to have or adopt a child in the next five years. Most respondents report using full-day childcare, five days a week, at a licensed or certified day-care provider.

Analysis of the survey indicates that an overwhelming majority of respondents — both with and without children — feel that a childcare facility should be available either on or near campus. In addition, those respondents with children generally indicate strong interest in using such a facility, and nearly half report that securing adequate childcare is difficult.

Essentially, the responses reveal that a childcare facility located on or near campus would alleviate many of the difficulties parents face, including help on those days when the university remains open but local childcare providers are closed.

Respondents note that improving the availability and flexibility of childcare options accessible to university employees would help recruit and retain excellent employees at Virginia Tech in the future.

A summary of these findings was presented to local childcare providers at the Blacksburg Community Center on Aug. 20. A complete report of the findings is available at http://www.advance.vt.edu/, and paper copies of the report may be requested from Barbara Johnson at (540) 231-7682.

For more information, contact AdvanceVT Program Coordinator Peggy Layne at (540) 231-9948 or playne@vt.edu. To learn more about AdvanceVT, visit http://www.advance.vt.edu/.

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