For Immediate Release
Contact: Peter Clark, 512-473-2274
It Will Take More than Reopening for Child Care to Keep Functioning for Parents, Kids, and Providers
State should provide child care providers with federal funding, closely monitor the public health impact, and consider the safety concerns of families, child care staff, and health experts
Austin - Today, Governor Greg Abbott announced that Texas child care providers may immediately open up and serve children of workers from any sector of the economy. Until now, Texas child care providers were only permitted to serve the children of essential workers. Following the announcement, David Feigen, Early Childhood Policy Associate at Texans Care for Children, issued the following statement:
“The Governor’s announcement is a reminder that child care — and our state’s policies on child care — are critical to rebuilding our economy, protecting public health, and giving kids a strong foundation during the critical early years of brain development.”
“As child care opens up, it will be important for state leaders to closely monitor the public health impact and consider the safety concerns of families, child care staff, and health experts. During the pandemic, the safest option is for parents to keep their kids at home, so it will be important for employers to support remote working options and paid leave. Additionally, child care providers should closely follow the COVID-19 safety guidelines and requirements established by the state of Texas.
“If the goal is to ensure that parents have the child care they need in order to go to work, state leaders will also need to use federal dollars to provide direct funding to child care providers to help them financially survive the pandemic. Child care providers will face increased expenses but they won’t be able to serve the typical number of children — and generate their typical tuition revenue — as they limit enrollment to meet new safety requirements, equip staff with protective gear, and increase spending on sanitation. In addition, many concerned parents may opt to keep their children at home. Without financial support from the state, child care providers simply will not be able to cover the costs of rent, supplies, and salaries. Many child care providers will be forced to permanently shut down their businesses when the Texas economy needs them most.
“Texas has already taken the smart step of providing short-term, limited funding to those child care providers who serve children in the state’s subsidy system. We have worked with state leaders on these efforts and appreciate all of their hard work. We urge them to continue to provide this support to child care providers in the subsidy system.
“However, state leaders should also offer meaningful support to the rest of the state’s licensed child care providers to help them survive the pandemic. Many other states have used new federal stimulus funding to offer sustainability grants to help quality, licensed child care providers stay afloat, regardless of whether they participate in the subsidy system, and make child care more affordable for families. Texas should do the same.
“Texas leaders should also remember that child care policy decisions must consider what is best for kids, not just adults. During the critical early years of brain development, our infants, toddlers, and other little kids need child care to be nurturing, attentive, effective, and safe — not just a building where they spend the day. Texas needs a longer term plan to ensure families have access to affordable, high-quality child care that provides kids with the social, emotional, and learning tools they will need in school.”
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