Child care hiring crisis is closing programs and keeping parents out of workforce

Across the country, more than 10% of child care workers have left the industry during the pandemic. The industry is weathering wage competition, and federal pandemic relief funds have only gone so far. With child care centers closing or downsizing, working women are paying the price.

The nonprofit, which serves mostly low-income families, has seen its staff shrink 30% during the coronavirus pandemic.

"We cannot find enough educators who are willing to come into our classrooms," CEO Laura Perille said. "Because they can earn a lot more money working anywhere other than child care."