COVID-19 has caused a drop in available child care services in the Quad Cities area. And some parents are having a hard time finding child care, especially part-time for school-age children.
Becky White, from Child Care Resource and Referral of Southeast Iowa, says a year ago, Scott County had more than 300 programs available.
But when the pandemic hit last spring, dozens of them closed because of increased costs and risk of infection.
Some parents call saying they fear losing their jobs because they can't find child care, so their stress level has been high.
Lots of parents are now relying on family, friends, and neighbors to take care of their children when they're not in school.
April Berthiaume, from Child Care Resource and Referral of Midwestern Illinois in Moline, says employers have also adjusted and are more flexible, allowing workers to change their schedules based on child care needs.
But it might be a short-term solution. So she and her staff are trying to prepare for the possibility of prolonged online learning and hybrid classes.
Families looking for child care in the Illinois Quad Cities and surrounding area may call 309.205.3070, option 3, or go HERE. Families in the Iowa Quad Cities looking for child care may call 855.244.5301, or go HERE.
