Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Releases COVID-19 Impact Survey Results
Findings shed light on the effect COVID-19 is having on child care providers across Louisiana
NEW ORLEANS, LA. (April 9, 2020) — This morning, the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children (LPIC) released a new report, “Impact of COVID-19 on Louisiana Child Care Providers,” which details the challenges facing child care providers across the state as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including financial losses, closure decisions and support needed to help providers respond to the public health crisis. With a goal of better understanding the impact, LPIC partnered with the following organizations to conduct a survey of child care providers across Louisiana between March 16-23, 2020: Agenda for Children, Childcare Connections for Northeast Louisiana, Louisiana Association of United Ways, On Track by 5 Alliance, Pointe Coupee Early Childhood Education Coalition, United Way of Southeast Louisiana and Volunteers of America.
LPIC Executive Director Libbie Sonnier-Netto said, “Given both the importance of the child care sector to the overall economy and its frequently precarious financial state, it is critical to understand the impact that COVID-19 is having on the early child care sector and the kinds of support providers will need in order to stay in business both now and after the crisis is over.”
During a virtual press conference held this morning, LPIC, Agenda for Children, Volunteers of America Greater Baton Rouge, the Wilcox Academy of Early Learning, the Louisiana Department of Education, the Louisiana Association of United Ways, and United Way of Southeast Louisiana presented the following survey findings outlined in the report:
Seventy eight percent of child care providers in Louisiana have experienced a loss in revenue, with collective losses due to COVID-19 totaling almost $1.7 million as of March 23, 2020.
Twenty percent of child care providers in Louisiana reported having to close their program or business, and another 15 percent anticipated closing. In the week following the survey, the percentage of closed providers rose to a staggering 60 percent, according to data from the Louisiana Department of Education.
Seventy two percent of closed child care providers were no longer collecting tuition fees from families; however, 51 percent of these providers were continuing to pay their employees.
Over 90 percent of child care providers indicated grants to pay employees during a closure would support their response to COVID-19 both now and in the future if their program or business must close.
One-third of child care providers reported that an extended closure will force them to permanently close. Those centers serve approximately 12,500 children and employ over 2,000 full- and part-time staff.
"It is critical to families and our economy that we do everything in our power to make sure that the 374 child care centers that have closed in our region are able to survive. Child care centers are often very small businesses, and are likely to need targeted supports and grants to help them chart a path to financial recovery. If we don't act now, many temporary closures will become permanent, making it that much harder for workers to go back to work once this crisis passes,” said Jennifer Roberts, Agenda for Children president and New Orleans Early Education Network executive director.
While a majority of Louisiana’s workforce is mandated to stay at home to slow the spread of COVID-19, “essential employees,” such as Louisiana hospital workers, are relying on child care. The more child care operations are closed, the less options there are for Louisiana hospital workers and first responders. The “Impact of COVID-19 on Louisiana Child Care Providers” report reiterates the fact that most child care centers in the country operate on razor thin profit margins in the best of times, which leave them particularly vulnerable in times of crisis and economic downturn. The results presented signify that Louisiana child care providers are no exception and are, unfortunately, likely to be even more vulnerable.
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About Louisiana Policy Institute for Children:
Louisiana Policy Institute for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that Louisiana's young children, from birth to age four, are best prepared for success in school and in life. The Policy Institute develops policy proposals informed by data, research, best practices and the experiences of other states to improve the outcomes of Louisiana’s youngest citizens, and further provides educational and outreach activities based on recommended policy solutions. The organization works to ensure children are safe, healthy and have opportunity to reach their full potential. For more information, visit www.policyinstitutela.org and follow the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children on Facebook and Twitter.