CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As child care providers brace for the end of pandemic funding, they’re left with one question -- what now?
"Without this money, myself and other centers are going to lose good quality staff," Melinda Moore, the owner of Tiny Treasures Child Development Center, said.
Tiny Treasures Child Development Center is just one of many facilities preparing for a staffing crunch. The bonuses and increased wages have a major impact on people like Christy Lemon Hunters, who has been teaching at Tiny Treasures for more than a decade.
"When you add up car payments, house payments, and living arrangements a pay cut has a big impact," Hunters said. "It would be harder for teachers to survive."
Tiny Treasures is licensed for up to a hundred kids, but with limited staffing. They currently have 84 kids.
The day care is planning to slice that number in half once COVID funds are gone.
"I could foresee having to close a classroom down or cut more spaces out," Moore said.
Pee Wee’s Little People says they're also looking for ways to keep things flowing.
"I'm trying to find a way to stay afloat without that extra cushion," Dejhana Ray, director of Pee Wee's Little People, said.
Many facilities are considering increasing the price to attend, a decision that will drastically impact low-income families who are already using vouchers.
For some centers, that’s nearly half of the families coming in.
"Their parents aren’t able to fund having their kids go to child care," Ray said.
"They're struggling to even pay their copay," Moore said. "If I raise my rates I know they can't pay it."
Family centers that take care of children in their homes will also be impacted.
WCNC Charlotte is always asking "where's the money?" If you need help, reach out to WCNC Charlotte by emailing money@wcnc.com.
For many of these centers, about 90% of the families coming in are low-income families who can't afford a price increase.
The limitations leave them with one option, close up shop.
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