On Wednesday, Oct. 7, First 5 Orange County released a report that revealed a harsh landscape for working parents trying to find quality and affordable child care, and child-care providers trying to survive and stay afloat.
The dearth of child care is especially apparent for those who need it for their infants or toddlers: There are currently only enough licensed slots to care for 5 percent of the county’s children between the ages of 0-2.
The COVID-19 pandemic has only deepened the crisis. Nearly half of Orange County’s child care providers closed their programs from mid-March to early June, and then began reopening with new requirements and reduced capacities to maintain social distancing guidelines.
First 5 Orange County is bringing awareness to this crucial issue in hopes that the child-care industry can be rebuilt, the economy can recover and children will get the developmental care that they need.
Read the report at first5oc.org/childcare.