Why childcare matters to Pinellas employers

In 2026, R’Club is celebrating 50 years of service to Pinellas County, a milestone that honors not just longevity but measurable impact.

What began in 1976 as a small initiative to provide safe, supervised spaces for latchkey children has grown into the Tampa Bay region’s largest nonprofit childcare provider.

Today, R’Club serves more than 4,000 children each day across forty-five licensed programs and several supplemental services.

For half a century, R’Club has stood as a vital partner to families, employers and the broader community, ensuring that children are cared for, parents can work and businesses can thrive.

A mission built on trust and values

At the heart of R’Club’s mission is a simple yet powerful goal: to strengthen children, families and communities through quality early learning and developmentally appropriate programs.

The organization’s culture is grounded in its Four R’s: respect, responsibility, resourcefulness and responsiveness.

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These values guide R’Club’s internal operations and shape its relationships across generations of families.

They also anchor the organization’s role in Pinellas County’s economic and social landscape.

Childcare as essential infrastructure

Every strong economy depends on a stable workforce, and that workforce depends on access to reliable childcare.

For thousands of parents, R’Club has made it possible to remain employed, complete a degree or care for aging relatives while knowing their children are in safe, nurturing environments.

Employers benefit as well. Reliable childcare reduces absenteeism, lowers turnover and increases productivity.

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Local employers, from hospitals and government agencies to small startups, rely on R’Club’s consistency and quality to keep their teams engaged and present.

The relationship between childcare and economic vitality is direct. Childcare is not a social service alone. It is essential infrastructure.

The economic reality for families

In Pinellas County, childcare for a single child can consume up to 18% of a household’s income.

When housing costs are included, families may spend more than half of their income simply to meet basic needs.

R’Club exists to bridge that gap. Many working families earn too much to qualify for subsidies yet too little to afford private tuition.

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Nearly 90% of R’Club families receive state or federal tuition assistance, but those reimbursements cover only about 49% of the true cost of care.

The remaining 51% must be supported through community partnerships, philanthropy and operational innovation.

Workforce development starts early

R’Club is also a significant employer, with more than 350 staff members receiving ongoing training and professional development in early childhood education.

Each teacher, administrator and specialist plays a vital role in sustaining the workforce that keeps Pinellas County running.

National research reinforces what R’Club demonstrates locally: every dollar invested in early learning generates between four and nine dollars in long-term economic benefit.

By supporting working parents today and preparing future workers for tomorrow, R’Club multiplies its economic impact across generations.

A continuum of care

R’Club’s model meets families where they are, offering a full continuum of care from infancy through young adulthood.

Early Learning Academies serve children from two months to four years old with a focus on literacy, social-emotional development and kindergarten readiness.

Thirty-three before- and after-school programs provide homework support, enrichment and mentoring for elementary students.

Middle school programs create safe spaces for teenagers to develop leadership, teamwork and life skills.

Exceptional Student Education services ensure individualized support for children with developmental or learning differences.

Supplemental services address literacy and behavioral challenges that can hinder long-term success.

Measurable impact, human stories

Since its founding, R’Club has served hundreds of thousands of families and remains the largest nonprofit childcare organization in Pinellas County.

Each day, more than 4,000 children enter R’Club classrooms, school gardens and after-school programs.

Behind every statistic is a story: a parent who completed nursing school, a child who entered kindergarten ready to read, an employer who retained staff because dependable after-school care existed.

Looking ahead

As R’Club enters its sixth decade, its purpose remains unchanged: helping families belong, helping parents work and helping children thrive.

Demand for affordable childcare continues to rise. R’Club’s work is more vital than ever.

Its success over the past 50 years serves as a reminder that investing in early learning is an investment in the long-term strength of the Tampa Bay economy.

The commitment moving forward is clear: to strengthen the foundation on which businesses, families and communities are built, one child, one family and one generation at a time.

Amy Shore is the Chief Executive Officer of R’Club Child Care, Inc., where she leads with a focus on strengthening families and communities in her hometown of St. Petersburg.

She joined R’Club in 2017 as Development Director, later served as Chief Operating Officer and became CEO in 2024.

A graduate of Florida State University, Shore has been active in civic leadership as former President and current board member of the Suncoast Tiger Bay Club.