The Impact of COVID-19 on Louisiana Child Care Systems

• In Event: Rapid, Responsive, Relevant Research for Childcare: The Ecology of COVID-19

Abstract

A southern policy institute conducted a series of surveys to understand the impacts of COVID-19 on childcare providers in Louisiana. The results of the surveys indicate that childcare breakdowns have a significant negative impact on Louisiana’s economy. Given both the importance of childcare to the overall economy and its frequently precarious financial state, it was critical to understand the impact that COVID-19 is having on childcare and the kinds of support providers need in order to stay in business. Each survey was available online and disseminated in partnership with Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, stakeholders throughout the state, and through the lead state agency responsible for childcare assistance. Of the approximately 1,624 licensed childcare centers and family child care providers in the state, the first (March) survey response rate was at 33%, the second (April) survey 24%, and the third (June) survey 50%.
Key findings include:
· Financial Losses for Providers Continued to Grow Substantially During the Pandemic: 77% of providers who responded to the survey reported experiencing financial losses due to COVID-19, with losses averaging $110,000 per center, translating to an estimated $137.5 million in collective losses statewide.
· Majority of Open Providers Saw Reduced Enrollment Rates: 81% of providers served fewer children in June than they did in January. On average, June enrollment at open providers was 30% less than in January.
· Almost Half of Providers Had a Waiting List: 45% of providers, including those that were closed during, had a waiting list of families hoping to enroll their children.
· More Providers Experienced Challenges with Purchasing Needed Cleaning, PPE Supplies: Almost two-thirds of providers reported difficulty in obtaining needed supplies, including cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment, and 67% of providers experienced increased costs for cleaning supplies.
· Less Than 1-in-4 Open Providers Expected Being Able to Survive Long-Term Operations with Current Smaller Group Sizes: Only 22% of providers open, including those that had closed then reopened or remained open throughout the pandemic, responded that they could afford to operate with smaller group sizes for as long as necessary. By contrast, 35% predicted their businesses could last six months or less, and another 42% were unsure.

Survey findings were used to ensure the safety of childcare centers, including providing research and recommendations to the Governor’s Resilient Louisiana Commission and co-drafting a memo on the Roadmap to Reopening Child Care to the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) with recommendations regarding areas that needed to be addressed when re-opening childcare in Louisiana. The policy institute provided technical assistance to ECE providers and advocated for changes in state policy and additional resources. These collective efforts led to the allocation of additional funds in a series of emergency grants to ECE centers. LDOE cited the institute’s research in April in disseminating $10 million in emergency grants to childcare centers, an additional $9 million in emergency grants to child care centers in June, and extending child care subsidies to more than 3,800 additional essential workers statewide. 

Author

• Libbie Sonnier, Louisiana Policy Institute for Children
  Presenting Author