The end of COVID-era federal funding is leaving families in the lurch with the closure of daycares like Early Ivy in The Woodlands, having to toss a wrench into the morning routines of parents across the region. According to the Houston Chronicle, the stark deadline that came down the pike on December 6 gave parents like single mom Mia Morrow just two days to find new care arrangements for her youngest son.
A study from The Century Foundation points to a bleak future, with over 305,000 children at risk of losing access to childcare in Texas and potential closures of up to 70,000 daycare facilities. Frustrated parents are not just battling to secure spots for their kids but are now contending with the deeper implications of workforce dynamics, with women potentially being the hardest hit. Kim Kofron from the research and advocacy nonprofit Children at Risk went as far as hinting at doomsday for the industry in an interview with the Chronicle.
In Spring and Klein, many parents are facing increased wait times and the reality that some providers may shutter their operations amidst the funding drought, as detailed in a piece by Community Impact. With over 70,000 kids on waitlists for early child care in Texas, the closure of facilities like Early Ivy is an alarm bell for an industry grappling with reduced enrollment and the aftermath of the pandemic. The finance divide compounds the issue, “The gap between the low income and the upper income is greater and greater here. ... The day cares in the lower-income areas can’t afford to stay in business," Denise Statlander, owner of Greengate Academy, emphasized in a statement obtained by Community Impact.
An analysis by the Council for a Strong America pegs the national childcare crisis’ sting at an eye-watering $122 billion each year in lost earnings, productivity, and revenue. The numbers don't bode well: $5,520 lost by families per working parent in reduced earnings, $1,640 lost by businesses per working parent", and $1,470 lost in tax revenue per working parent," the analysis underscores.
Measures like Senate Bill 1145, House Bill 2729, and House Bill 1615 are steps forward, with provisions that range from property tax relief to relaxed hiring qualifications for pre-K teachers. Yet, with failed state efforts to secure an additional $2.29 billion for early childcare and the ongoing fiscal bleeding, it's a stark reminder that filling the child care chasm in the Lone Star State is still a tall order.
