FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence and a team of statewide partners, including Kentucky Youth Advocates, Metro United Way, United Way of Greater Cincinnati, United Way of Kentucky, Appalachian Early Childhood Network, Learning Grove, 4-C, EC LEARN, and others, released their findings today from A Fragile Ecosystem IV: Will Kentucky Child Care Survive When The Dollars Run Out? The survey of Kentucky child care providers underscored how the sector will be impacted once federal American Rescue Plan COVID relief dollars run out.
The survey found that:
- Over 70% of Kentucky child care providers will be forced to raise tuition for working parents
- Close to 40% indicated that providers would cut staff wages
- Close to 30% of child care providers said they would layoff staff
- Over 20% of providers indicated they would permanently close their child care center
“Nearly three years into the pandemic, Kentucky’s child care sector remains on shaky ground and the sector is bracing for more challenging times ahead. The results of A Fragile Ecosystem IV show the need for greater financial support from Frankfort, and for continued substantial, engaged planning with providers,” said Benjamin Gies Director of Early Childhood Policy & Practice for The Prichard Committee.
“As Kentucky rapidly approaches a funding cliff caused by the end of federal American Rescue Plan funding, time is of the essence to ensure Kentucky’s child care and early education infrastructure is sustained and strengthened for working parents immediately and in the long term,” said Brigitte Blom, President & CEO of The Prichard Committee.
The event in Frankfort was joined by statewide early childhood advocates, KY Strong Start Coalition members, and legislative leaders.
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