‘Childcare is really expensive’: City of Lincoln details two childcare support initiatives

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Many parents say the decision to send their kids to daycare is a personal choice, but whether they use it or not, they can agree that childcare assistance is helpful.

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird announced two new initiatives on Thursday, both supporting childcare.

In partnership with Lincoln Littles, one initiative will direct $250,000 of federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to more than 250 families for daycare tuition.

According to Gaylor Baird, that funding will help 83 children.

The second proposes zoning changes that allow new childcare centers to be built and make it easier to expand upon already existing locations.

“Childcare is really expensive,” said Leah Reeve-Mendoza, a Lincoln mother of two.

“I purposely didn’t work when my first child was born because it wouldn’t have been responsible for me to be working and my whole salary have gone to childcare,” she said.

Reeve-Mendoza moved to Lincoln from Iowa and thought she was set to stay home with her second child, born just six weeks ago.

But when her spouse was laid off, her situation changed.

“My spouse’s job was affected by the federal government layoffs,” she said. “Like every other family, we’re just trying to make it through.”

Reeve-Mendoza had to return to work part-time and welcomes the newly announced assistance.

“The fact that the mayor is trying to make that more manageable is amazing,” she said.

Eligible families must have children under 6 years old who are not enrolled in school, and their annual household income must be no more than $86,000.

“We believe access to high-quality, affordable childcare is fundamental to support our working families in Lincoln,” said Gaylor Baird.

Oscar Gonzales is a Lincoln father of two. He says he worked in the military and knows how high daycare costs can be, even with military discounts.

Gonzales says he’s fortunate now that his income allows his spouse to stay at home with their children, but he’s glad the city is providing aid to those who can not do the same.

“It’s always going to be a struggle, but definitely them trying to put more money toward it would definitely help out a lot of parents,” said Gonzales.

The mayor says that the proposed zoning changes should be announced in December.