$24 billion of pandemic-era funding for a specific American need is about to expire. The money was earmarked to support the costs of childcare.

“3.2 million children could lose their childcare as a result of this money going away,” says Julie Kashen.

Almost every childcare provider in the country says this is going to hit them, their workers, and families hard. Some will have to shut their doors. Others will take fewer kids. Corrine Hendrickson in Wisconsin says the only way she’ll be able to stay open is by radically raising her rates.

“In June, I raised my rates 20% … They’ll be going up again another $30 in February when the rest of the funding dries up. So in a year, I will have raised my rates about $60 a week per kid,” Hendrickson says.

Today, On Point: How to save childcare, the people who provide it, and the families who rely on it.

Guests

Julie Kashen, Senior fellow and director for women’s economic justice at The Century Foundation, a national independent think tank. Coauthor of the report Child Care Cliff: 3.2 Million Children Likely to Lose Spots with End of Federal Funds.

Also Featured

Corrine Hendrickson, Operates Corrine’s Little Explorers Daycare in New Glarus, Wisconsin.

Shineal Hunter, Operates the childcare facility Family Circle Academy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Linda Smith, Director of the Early Childhood Initiative at the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Joanna, Childcare worker in Georgia.

Michelle Meywes, Mother of two in childcare in Los Angeles, California.