Millions of Americans rely on child care just to be able to work each day.
America needs child care relief to keep the industry afloat during the nation’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The disastrous economic crisis has hit the child care industry especially hard, causing widespread layoffs and closures as a result of catastrophic drops in enrollment. And while the nation’s economic recovery from this crisis will be a slow, phased process, child care providers will be expected to be open to care for children as parents return to work, while operating on financial losses for months to come due to new social distancing requirements and continued low enrollment. Providers will also face increased operating expenses to meet new and important health and safety standards.
The devastating impact of these financial realities cannot be sustained without direct federal investments that ensure child care providers can keep their doors open to meet the needs of children and families.