Complete Survey by APRIL 5, 2026

The Start Strong PA Campaign is collecting information from child care directors and owners about the on-going staffing crisis and participation in the Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention (CCSRR) Program.

The information collected will be used to demonstrate the continued need for our 2026-2027 state budget to increase funding for child care so the workforce is paid a livable wage and programs can keep classrooms open for working families.

Surveys completed by Friday, March 20, 2026 will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card. Ten gift cards will be awarded.

Question Title

* 1. Child Care Program Information (if multisite, please fill out a separate survey for each location)

Question Title

* 2. Do you have OPEN (unfilled) STAFF POSITIONS?

Question Title

* 3. How many OPEN (unfilled) STAFF POSITIONS do you have? (if none answer 0)

Question Title

* 4. Do you have CLOSED classrooms?

Question Title

* 5. How many classrooms (of each type) are closed in your program? (if none answer 0)

Question Title

* 6. Do you have UNDERENROLLED classrooms (operating below room capacity due to staffing)?

Question Title

* 7. How many UNDERENROLLED classrooms do you have? (if none answer 0)

Question Title

* 8. Are you having challenges RECRUITING (hiring) teachers to work at your program?

Question Title

* 9. Check ALL that apply. What are your challenges in RECRUITING (hiring) teachers?

Question Title

* 10. Please comment with any additional challenges you are having RECRUITING teachers.

Question Title

* 11. Are you having challenges RETAINING teachers (keeping them from leaving) your program?

Question Title

* 12. Check ALL that apply. What are your challenges in RETAINING teachers (keeping current staff)?

Question Title

* 13. Please comment with any additional challenges you are having RETAINING teachers.

Question Title

* 14. How many more children could you enroll if fully staffed? (if your site is fully enrolled answer 0)

Question Title

* 15. Did you apply for the recruitment and retention bonus for any of your staff?

Question Title

* 16. If yes, how many applications did you submit? (if none answer 0)

Question Title

* 17. Did you have any challenges in completing the application?

Question Title

* 18. If yes, please describe the challenges in completing the application. (if you had no challenges, please type N/A)

Question Title

* 19. Did you have staff eligible for the recruitment and retention bonus but you did NOT apply?

Question Title

* 20. If you did NOT apply, please share the reason(s). (if you applied for all eligible staff, please type N/A)

Question Title

* 21. Please share any recommendations to improve the Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program or application process.

Question Title

* 22. Are there any topics/issues related to your work that you would like the Start Strong PA Campaign to focus on (research/survey) to better support the child care industry?

Question Title

* 23. Can we contact you for clarification or additional information about your survey answers if needed?

Question Title

* 24. Would you be willing to share your story about the impact of the child care staffing crisis?

T