As the economy reopens and many Americans return to their workplaces, a survey by Care.com finds most parents are uncomfortable about returning their children to daycare.
In a poll of 2,000 adults conducted between May 20-22, 63% of respondents said that they were either somewhat or very uncomfortable returning their children to daycare as the states reopen, with 35% acknowledging they were now considering in-home care instead.
One major problem the respondents cited was cost increases: 52% expected to pay more for childcare than they were paying before the COVID-19 pandemic and 47% were more concerned about the cost of childcare now than they were before the pandemic.
Care.com noted that more 55% spend at least $10,000 per year on childcare.
The survey also reported that 96% of respondents believed it was important for government and business leaders to provide additional financial support for childcare as Americans transition out of the shelter-at-home edicts.
“Parents across America were struggling to find affordable and accessible childcare prior to COVID-19, but this challenge has been exacerbated by the pandemic and thrust our nation”™s care crisis into the spotlight,” said Tim Allen, CEO of Care.com.
“Our economic recovery rests on people”™s ability to get back to work, and for parents that makes childcare indispensable. But with social distancing, remote work and the closure of businesses that many parents rely on, a new dynamic of childcare is quickly emerging, and if we don”™t take action now to solve this childcare crisis, there will be huge ramifications for all of us.”
