With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
The Pandemic Takes A Financial and Mental Toll On Child Care Providers
The COVID-19 pandemic is taking a financial and mental toll on the people who work in L.A. County’s 7,275 licensed child care businesses. That’s according to a survey from UC Berkeley’s Center for the Study of Child Care Employment.
More than 80% of those surveyed said they’re taking care of fewer kids to comply with social distancing guidelines — in L.A. County groups of children are limited to 10 — but providers said they’re still worried about the health of kids, staff and their families.
More than three-quarters of survey respondents said they’re losing money with fewer families enrolled.
Sponsored message
There’s little choice but to forge ahead, said Jeannette Romero, executive director of Pasadena Day Nursery for Child Development
“We’re putting aside our fears and making sure we’re leading by example and following all the guidelines that we have in place for us,” she said.
Romero said her center has 11 children currently enrolled, which is less than one-quarter of capacity. At this rate, Pasadena Day Nursery, in operation since 1910, has enough funding to operate through September, she said.
Beyond that point, Romero doesn’t know what will happen.
HEAR MORE ABOUT HOW PROVIDERS ARE WEATHERING THE PANDEMIC:
GO DEEPER INTO LAIST’S COVERAGE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD
At LAist, we focus on what matters to our community: clear, fair, and transparent reporting that helps you make decisions with confidence and keeps powerful institutions accountable.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
