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.
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
