Researchers study impact of COVID-19 on early childcare programs

Researchers who have been studying the shortage of early childcare workers in Nebraska are now looking into the impact of COVID-19.

The Nebraska Early Childhood Workforce Commission, supported by the Buffet Early Childhood Institute recently released a report, that found an alarming shortage of child care workers.

According to their work, the Cornhusker State has a high percentage where all parents are in the workforce. Their numbers show 75 percent of children under the age of 6 live in homes where all adults in their family work outside the home.

“We want to learn about the impact of COVID-19 on the operations of early childhood programs across the state,” said Samuel J. Meisels, founding executive director of the Buffett Institute. “Like other sectors of our economy, early childhood programs are being heavily impacted by this disease. What we learn can help identify additional supports that are needed, as well as inform subsequent efforts to rebuild the economy. Working parents rely extensively on early care and education programs in our state and nation today.”

Public and private early childhood programs operate in Nebraska through schools, centers, and homes. The Institute’s survey will be distributed to programs by state and community partners. All early childhood programs and services in the state are encouraged to complete the survey by March 25. It is posted at https://bit.ly/NEprovidersurvey.