Families ‘scrambling’ as Lincoln’s child care shortage worsens

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The recent closure of three day cares in Lincoln is intensifying the child care crisis in the region.

“I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do,” said Christen Million, a mother of two.

Million is one of the parents affected by the closure of Dimensions Education Programs, which will close in May. 

“For my infant, even centers that are not high quality, their wait list is like a year long,” she said.

SEE ALSO: To attract more child care workers, Nebraska may help them pay for their own child care

Dimensions is one of three child care centers in Lincoln that have closed their doors since November. 

The loss of pandemic funds and workforce shortages are the main reason behind the closures, according to the nonprofit Lincoln Littles, which advocates for early childhood education.

The closures have added hundreds of kids to waiting lists across Lincoln.

“I talked to a mother this morning who is really scrambling,” said Anne Brandt, Lincoln Littles’ executive director. “I mean, she works full time; her husband has full time.” 

SEE ALSO: Yearlong wait lists, high prices plague Nebraska parents looking for day care

Brandt said the child care crisis has a ripple effect in the community. 

“The early childhood workforce is the workforce behind a bigger workforce,” she said. “Without child care workforce, people are not able to go to work.”

SEE ALSO: Nebraska child care providers could receive $92 million in federal funds

Million said she’s at the point where her family will have to make a tough decision.

“We have had conversations about looking at our finances and determining if one of us needs to leave the workforce,” she said. 

Million said they are even thinking about leaving the state.

Lincoln Littles and Million said policymakers need to step up to help resolve the child care crisis.