Tracy Patch, of Early Education Specialists in Tucson, said IBM conducted an employee survey and one of the biggest complaints is a lack of child care.
"Basically IBM did a needs analysis to see what is lacking," Patch said. "The employees said they were having problems finding high-quality child care."
Patch said her company received a two-year grant for $30,000 a year to work with and train possible child-care providers. They are looking for residents willing to open their homes to up to four children a day. They need residents in the 85710, 85747, 85748, 85749 and 85750 zip codes.
"This doesn't include the Vail area right now, but there will be some exceptions," Patch said. "If they live close enough, we can include them in the program."
Residents willing to begin a child-care business will have control over their own hours, the ages of kids they want to care for and will get some funding to take care of startup costs.
Patch said it's important for those interested to understand they are not looking for just babysitters, but for residents who are willing to offer high-quality care for children.
"We need people interested in becoming child-care providers," Patch said. "Brain research has shown that the early years are the most important times for children and high-quality care is very important."
Patch said she will help residents get started by helping them prepare and create a curriculum for children. Those interested will also have to be DES certified.
"The benefit of doing this is it is your own business," Patch said. "You decide your own hours; you decide what you are going to charge."
So far one resident has signed up. Sonya Romero of Rita Ranch said she wanted to stay home with her 17-month-old son, and at the same time assist her husband with the family finances.
"This program has helped me be able to stay home and at the same time help my husband with money," she said. "I want to be with my son, and since I have a lot of years of experience being a nanny I thought this would be good for me. I have never done this inside my own home, so Mrs. Patch really has helped me get started."
Patch said they are taking the in-home method because there are no childcare facilities in the area at all. The only daycare center was closed this year after the Tucson City Council decided its Rita Ranch location was inside the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base flightline. The daycare center wasn't the only business impacted. Springs Gymnastics has already relocated and Vail High School is looking for a new home.
Calvin Baker, superintendent of the Vail School District, said finding good child care has always been a problem. While school staff gets priority for the district's child-care services, parents are continually complaining about the lack of care.