The COVID-19 pandemic initially hit early childhood care operations hard throughout Utah. Despite restrictions on enrollment and the effects of families losing jobs, operations in the state have rebounded.
Department of Workforce Services Director of the Utah Office of Childcare Tracy Gruber says, when COVID-19 shuttered many businesses, early childcare operators were never required to shut down. But she says there was a concern that the shutdown orders required childcare facilities to adjust their enrollments.
“Before the pandemic, Utah’s childcare system was already confronting what we would call an access issue in that there were not enough regulated childcare providers throughout the state to meet the needs. The needs also reflected individual preferences of families as to what type of setting they want their young children to be cared for in.”
Gruber says when the pandemic hit, many parents withdrew their children from childcare, and a significant number of facilities had to close due to revenue impacts. New health and safety measures were imposed, which impacted the financial viability of many centers. Some parents continued working but had lost access to their childcare.
“That too places pressure on childcare providers and meeting their fixed costs because on one hand they have more families disenrolling. On the other hand, because of group size restrictions, they can't accept the normal number of children that their business model is founded on.”
Gruber says many closures at the beginning of the pandemic have significantly decreased. Utah’s childcare industry is open and operating, she says, at a level that allows parents to keep their jobs knowing their children are well cared for.
“And now, we’re at just about 1% of our licensed centers temporarily closed and about 4% of our licensed family programs temporarily closed.”
Congress approved $3.5 billion to prevent a collapse of the childcare system across the country. And grants were made available to facilities to help with meeting the new health and safety protocols.
“And on the family side, during the pandemic as it relates to childcare, there were resources put into grants over the and there are grants being put into programs right now for school-age children who need care during normal school hours at the schools that are operating on a hybrid education model.”
Congress is considering an end of year relief package that would also help early childcare centers. Gruber says low-income and working families can access subsidies through the Department of Workforce Services. Quality early childcare is a critical part of preparing children for kindergarten, and it’s the family that shoulders the costs.
Gruber says careaboutchildcare.utah.gov is a resource for families to find regulated childcare providers. For families needing financial assistance to help pay for childcare, go to jobs.utah.gov and apply for aid.
