TEDMonterey | A Close-To-Home Solution For Accessible Childcare
Childcare needs a transformation — but rather than investing billions in new buildings and schools, what if we could unlock the potential of people already nearby? Entrepreneur Chris Bennett offers an innovative way to tackle the shortage of childcare worldwide and connect families to safe, affordable and high-quality options in their own communities.
This talk was presented at an official TED conference, and was featured by TED editors on the home page.
Chris Bennett is a Silicon Valley-based entrepreneur and early childhood education advocate who’s passionate about harnessing the internet for social good.
WHY YOU SHOULD LISTEN
Growing up in Miami, Chris Bennett attended in-home childcare. Yoli, the woman who ran that program, had a profound impact on the trajectory of his life: he became the first member of his family to go to college, and credits that in part to the strong foundation he received at the earliest age.
After graduating from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Bennett moved to the Bay Area and began to hear friends discuss the shortage of quality, convenient options for childcare. He wondered: Why don’t more people start their own in-home programs?
Wonderschool was born out of this question. Today, Wonderschool is an online platform that provides customizable technology to employers and government agencies to meet the childcare needs of their communities. Recognized by Fast Company as one of the world’s most innovative companies, Wonderschool has received fundings from storied VC firms, including Andreessen Horowitz and First Round Capital.
