Two years on and every other industry seems to have picked themselves up and are continuing to increase the number of their workforce. However, the same cannot be said for the childcare industry.

Two years into the pandemic, the childcare industry is still facing a gross shortage of early childhood educators, further contributing to the dwindling number of available childcare spots.

While some childcare centers and daycares have been able to fully re-open since COVID-19 guidelines were relaxed, some classrooms still remain closed due to lack of childcare staff. Childcare center owners and directors have reported that hiring remains to be their top priority and struggle.
As other companies have increased their hourly wages, childcare operators simply cannot keep up with them.

The Culprit: Low Pay

The main barrier to hindering qualified early childcare educators and childcare workers from going back to the industry is low pay. In an industry where one-third of childcare workers rely on some form of public assistance to afford basic necessities, it is no wonder why qualified and experienced childcare workers have a hard time applying for and coming back to the industry.
Recent research shows that low pay is actually the biggest factor in childcare workers leaving the industry. And for those who stay, having a second job was not just an option, it was necessary.

Band-Aid Solutions

While the government have failed to provide a national solution to the childcare supply crisis, states have tried to cobble up help and funding in terms of grants through various state programs such as the Child Care Development Block Grant.
Most states have diverted funding towards increasing the hourly wage for childcare workers such as Minnesota and New Mexico. However, in the state of California, concrete directives to provide and prioritize funding to increase childcare worker wages are missing.

Until states fully recognize the importance of paying childcare workers a living wage, it’s up to fragmented initiatives and short-term funding from legislative bills to help the childcare industry thrive.