Pinellas Co. Schools opens low-cost daycare for staff

In a move aimed at attracting and retaining top talent, Pinellas County Schools (PCS) has introduced a new childcare program for its full-time employees with young children. 

The initiative launched in August with the start of the 2024/2025 school year and offers affordable, high-quality care for children between the ages of 1 and 3. As of now, the program is serving approximately 80 children at a facility formerly known as Pinellas Secondary School.

The weekly rates are designed to make the service accessible to a wide range of district employees, based on the age of the child:

• Ages 12 to 24 months: $135 per week
• Ages 24 to 36 months: $90 per week
• Ages 36 to 48 months: $75 per week

Pinellas County Schools’ new childcare program serves children ages 1 to 3 years old. Photo provided.

“This [program] is for staff members anywhere across the district,” explained Jessica Wagner, program coordinator for the new childcare initiative. “They could work in the warehouse and food service. They could be teachers, administrators; if you’re a full-time, benefit-eligible employee, this is one of the benefits that’s available to you.”

Caren Green is a Child Development Associate for Pinellas County Schools. Her 2-year-old daughter Reese attends PCS’ new childcare program, which has a curriculum that focuses on promoting early development through engaging, age-appropriate activities. Green said her daughter is thriving.

“I can already tell that she’s learning a lot in the classroom with the curriculum that they have been providing,” Green said. “She is coming home and telling the letter sounds and what she’s doing during the day, and she’s very happy every time I go and see her.”

In addition to working for PCS, Green is continuing her education to finish her early childhood education. She said having an affordable daycare option has been a game-changer for her family and her coworkers.

Caren Green (right), Pinellas County Schools’ employee, and her 1-year-old daughter Reese. Photo: Ashley Morales.

“This is a big deal because I know that a lot of Pinellas County Schools employees were struggling trying to find affordable care for their students,” said Green. “This happened to open many classrooms for them, and it happened to have better hours that work for these employees.”

The initiative, part of the district’s broader strategic plan, comes at a time when retaining quality teachers and staff is a challenge across many districts. Wagner pointed out that PCS stands out by offering this kind of support for its employees.

“It’s one thing to get people in the door, but it’s another thing, as they start growing a family, to be able to provide services that are an actual benefit to them, that help them here in the district,” Wagner said. “We want to be able to take care of their children and [help them] know that their children are in a safe, nurturing environment and receiving the best care possible.”

PCS is seeking community input for renaming the facility that houses the childcare center and two other facilities. The district will accept name suggestions from Sept. 16-30 at pcsb.org/schoolname.

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