Hampton Launches Childcare Task Force

The city's new task force aims to address rising child care costs and limited access for working families.

Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Child Care

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Hampton has launched a Childcare Task Force to address the growing cost and availability of child care for local families. Parents spend upwards of $16,000 a year on child care, and the U.S. Department of Labor reports those costs have continued to climb.

Why it matters

Grandparents and neighbors can no longer assist with child care in many cases, and parents need reliable care to take jobs or pursue certification and training. The task force's work could help families build financial stability while supporting local child care providers and employers.

Parents spend upwards of $16,000 a year on child care, according to figures cited in the launch coverage. Amazing Childcare and Learning Academy, a local daycare owned by Lakisha Leeks, can charge up to $1,800 a month, while the task force's funding and timeline remain unspecified.

The players

DeAnna Valentine

Valentine serves as director of Hampton's Economic Empowerment and Family Resilience office, which oversees the city's efforts on workforce and family stability.

Lakisha Leeks

Leeks is a local daycare owner whose business, Amazing Childcare and Learning Academy, offers care for families in the Hampton area.

The details

The Childcare Task Force is designed to include businesses, families and child care providers in developing solutions. Priorities include expanding infant care, helping families access financial support, strengthening providers, and adding care for evening, night and weekend workers. Ideas under consideration include employers offering staff stipends toward child care.

November 13, 2026: Coverage of the Hampton Childcare Task Force launch was published.

Family Trajectory

Hampton's task force follows a pattern of local governments convening businesses, families and providers to study child care as a barrier to employment. The effort reflects a broader shift in which child care is treated as workforce infrastructure rather than a purely private household expense.

Hampton families paying for child care may see new employer stipends, expanded infant or evening care, or financial support programs if the task force's ideas are adopted. Parents needing care for evening, night or weekend shifts should watch for the task force's recommendations on those hours.

The takeaway

Child care costs that can reach $16,000 a year are pushing families to rely on local solutions. Parents weighing work or training options should track whether employers in Hampton begin offering child care stipends.