NEW REPORT DETAILS ONGOING CHILD CARE STRUGGLES IN CENTRAL OHIO

December 11, 2024 – COLUMBUS, Ohio: Action for Children’s latest Central Ohio Child Care Provider Survey report provides new insight into the state of child care in central Ohio. Initiated in 2020 to comprehend the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the child care sector, this survey report continues to highlight the needs and challenges of child care professionals and families relating to operational sustainability, affordability of care, and more.

Data gathered from this year’s report shows that:

• Provider confidence has been gradually improving over the last four years. Still, 11% of providers are unsure if they will be open in three months.
• Despite having to increase tuition, the proportion of providers reporting monthly losses has been creeping up and is currently at 55%.
• Staffing remains a challenge. Sixty-four percent of surveyed child care centers and forty-six percent of family child care programs would like to hire staff. However, pay for child care professionals has lagged far behind inflation and needs to increase by at least $1.50-$5.00 to remain competitive with other industries.

The findings of this report illustrate the need for sustained, significant investment in early childhood programs and professionals; help for families to afford child care; and support for early care and education

(ECE) programs to achieve their quality goals. An additional focus on new programs in the region, Step Up To Quality, and PFCC provides new insight into the day-to-day operations and long-term growth of the child care sector.

Action for Children urges businesses, community leaders, policymakers, and the public to take notice of these pressing issues and support initiatives aimed at reforming and ensuring the sustainability of the child care sector in central Ohio. “Even through the most difficult times, early childhood educators have remained dedicated to caring for our youngest children and helping families thrive. Understanding that child care is essential infrastructure makes it imperative for each of us to actively invest in ways that will help the child care sector thrive as well,” said Dr. Katherine Glenn-Applegate, Director of Child Care Education Initiatives at Action for Children.

Action for Children will be hosting a webinar for stakeholders and media on December 17th at 2:00 pm with a read-out of report and time for Q&A and media questions. Questions can be submitted in advance at registration. To access the full report and executive summary or register for the webinar, please visit Action for Children’s website.

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Action for Children is the local child care resource and referral agency for central Ohio, and is committed to assuring quality early learning experiences for all children. Our services focus on transforming the lives of children by supporting the everyday heroes who most influence our children’s early growth; care givers, educators, parents, and guardians. LEARN MORE.

CONTACT:

Christiana Sallard
Marketing & Communications Manager, Action for Children
csallard@actionforchildren.org | 614-656-1887