Melanie Stefanowicz [Courtesy photo]

Child care isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity and a vital part of our workforce development. And right now, our child care system is facing a crisis with shortages and skyrocketing prices. According to the Bank of America Institute, child care payments have jumped 30% since pre-pandemic times, hitting middle- and upper-income families hardest. And what’s the result? More parents are waving the white flag and stepping out of the workforce to care for their kids.

For many parents, especially those earning minimum wage, securing affordable child care is a relentless struggle. In Southwest Florida, the pinch is felt even sharper. A two-parent household with one child pays around 18.5% of their income in Glades County and 21.1% in Collier County to keep their kid in child care, according to the Florida Policy Institute’s Child Care Affordability Index. The report ranks Florida’s 67 counties in order by affordable child care, positioning Lee, Hendry, Glades and Collier counties between 48 to 61 on the index.

However, this isn’t just about family budgets. It’s a matter of our community’s vitality. With federal COVID-19 child care relief gone, many are staring down a “child care cliff” that could see over 212,000 Florida children without care and thousands of providers shutting their doors. Across our region, we have already seen the beginnings of this.

Despite these unfavorable forecasts, families aren’t out of options. Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) and School Readiness Program can serve as lifelines to low- to middle-income, working families. These programs are a pathway to a brighter future for our children and a stronger workforce for our state.

To local families feeling the squeeze, know that the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida is your ally in navigating these challenging times, working to connect you with critical resources and funding you need. The Coalition can offer support, guidance and access to local early learning programs to help build the foundation for lifelong learning and success.

When parents have access to affordable, high-quality child care, they’re free to contribute to the workforce and pursue their education, driving our economy forward. And when children receive quality early education, they’re set up to thrive for years to come.

We commend our local state legislators for taking note of the crucial role that child care plays in the well-being of our state. With targeted policies and funding, like the School Readiness Plus program, we can bridge the child care divide, providing relief to families that desperately need it. Expanding access to these programs is an opportunity to strengthen our economy, enrich our communities and harness the potential of our youngest citizens.

The Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida stands ready to support this mission, working alongside policymakers, providers and community members to turn the tide on the child care crisis. Together, we can transform the landscape of early childhood education and secure a brighter future for all families in Southwest Florida.

About the Author
Melanie Stefanowicz is the CEO for Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida, which provides access to high-quality early education services for children in Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties.