Child care is a critical part of a community’s infrastructure. The child care industry has a large impact on the economy because it provides employment and generates revenue through purchases made by the employees. A study by the Louisiana Department of Social Services found that child care businesses in the state employ approximately 20% more workers than the oil and gas extraction industry.

In addition to being necessary for a community’s economy, child care is a necessary component of day-to-day life for many families. Without child care facilities, parents may be unable to go to work. According to the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRA), “nearly two-thirds of children under the age of six, or 11.6 million children are routinely cared for by someone other than their working parents each day.” These child care providers become an important part of the daily life of the children they serve.

Community emergency operations plans must consider child care as necessary both to the economic stability of the community and to the emotional stability of the community’s children. If child care facilities are damaged in a disaster, it can have devastating effects to the community’s economy, and the disruption in the daily routine can be quite traumatic to children.