PHOENIX — Maricopa County employees with young children are getting a major benefit thanks to a new county-sponsored child care center offering discounted rates.
The Maricopa County Kids Club, a 12,000-square-foot facility near county offices at 441 W. Madison St. in downtown Phoenix, will open in the coming weeks with a 50% discount for county workers.
The center includes 10 classrooms, indoor and outdoor play areas, and the capacity to serve over 150 children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. KinderCare, a national provider of early childhood education, will manage daily operations.
Plans for the center were first announced in October 2023. At a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week, County Manager Jen Pokorski said the center was created to help employees balance work and family life.
“It’s about giving our employees the support they need to thrive not just professionally, but personally,” Pokorski said. “Employees that are thriving provide better service to our community.”
Initially, the center will operate with extended hours and may expand to 24/7 care based on demand — a critical option for workers on night shifts.
The average cost of child care in Arizona is around $15,625 annually, or $1,302 per month, according to the Economic Policy Institute. The steep discount could offer county families significant financial relief.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Thomas Galvin, who attended the event, said the initiative is also about strengthening the county workforce.
“In this era where child care expenses are really taking a toll on families, we’re doing everything we can to show our employees that we appreciate them,” Galvin said. “We also think this is going to result in better service for the constituents of Maricopa County.”
