Working parents with young kids are bracing for a big disruption in child care as pandemic relief funds expire at the end of September.
During the pandemic, Utah received about $600 million in federal funding as part of America's Rescue plan. The lifeline helped keep 900 child care centers afloat. The grant isn't completely going away yet – but starting in October, payments will be reduced by 75%.
Students at ABC Great Beginnings in West Valley City use their creativity and imagination in Miss Chandra's pre-K class. This is one of 15 centers operated by Johnny Anderson, which serve over 3,000 children. Anderson worries the child care crisis is about to get worse. Most of the pandemic-era funding in Utah has been exhausted and will dry up by next June.
"All we can do is pass the cost on to parents," Anderson said. "That's what we've been forced to do."On average, child care can cost anywhere from about $5,000 to more than $15,000, according to government data. And yet child care workers have historically made less than the national average.
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