Spencer, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — The Child Care Market Analysis commissioned by the Spencer Economic Development Corporation is done. Author Angie Duncan says 79 percent of current providers have turned families away or put them on a waiting list, 26 percent of families say they have declined to have children and a significant number of people have turned down work because there’s no place for the kids. The survey of both employees and employers has come up with a deficit of 788 childcare slots.

Duncan says a number of entities do have plans to either start or expand.

Economic Development officials hope the study itself will spur more interest, but Duncan says many communities need to offer incentives.