NPR

The child care industry is a failed business model: How the pandemic made it worse for families

The omicron surge has made it even harder for child care providers to keep doors open and give reliable, consistent care that families need.
A teacher wears a mask as he takes a toddler's temperature. (Ted S. Warren/AP)

Throughout the pandemic, child care has been a big challenge for both families and providers.

The omicron surge has made it even harder for child care centers to stay open every day to provide kids and families with consistent, reliable care.

Deidre Anderson, CEO of EarlystART in Kansas City, Missouri, has been facing significant challenges since omicron hit. At one point, she had to close all three of the nonprofit’s early childhood centers. Right now, one of them is closed.

“I have classrooms that are closed due to quarantines, but also

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