‘Just too burnt out': Child care crisis crunches providers

For the past eight years, a child care center in a small city in Wisconsin has been providing care for children whose parents need to work early mornings. The center’s owner recently announced that she will be closing the center before the end of August. The closure is a result of the financial and emotional challenges faced by child care centers across the country. The cost of child care has been increasing, making it a significant financial burden for parents. At the same time, running a child care center is also costly, especially when it comes to staffing. Low wages make it difficult to attract and retain employees. The child care industry received some support during the pandemic, but that aid expired, leaving many centers struggling to stay open. The closure of this particular child care center has caused panic among families and staff. Efforts are being made to find a buyer or new ownership to keep the center open.