‘It’s Been Knocking At Our Door’: COVID-19 Takes A Toll On Child Care Centers

About 40% of child care centers in Georgia have had to close due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Johnathon Kelso / for WABE

A recent survey from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) shows 18% of child care centers in the U.S. have closed their doors due to the coronavirus pandemic. Another 9% of licensed centers run out of family homes have closed.

In Georgia, the numbers are higher: 40% of child care centers have closed due to COVID-19, and 24% of family-run centers have closed.

The (Ballooning) Cost Of Doing Business

Child care centers typically operate on thin profit margins. Early education advocates say the pandemic has only made them thinner.