Child Care Crisis Project
A reporting project by the Springfield Daily Citizen that looks at the sustained challenges facing working families, and potential solutions to one of Greene County’s most complex — and high stakes — problems.
Too big to ignore: Springfield’s child care crisis affects all of us
Families in Springfield need child care, but a prolonged shortage of day care spots — and unaffordable rates — are creating an economic crisis too large to ignore.
Child care waitlists are crazy long. So why do centers have empty classrooms in Springfield?
The pandemic has shed light on a struggling child care industry that’s been operating for far too long with a broken business model — and we all pay the price.
Desperate parents seek help from strangers amid Springfield’s child care crisis
The dilemma: No openings at day cares, unaffordable options and confusion on where and how to find help. Desperate parents are resorting to risky options amid child care crisis.
This series is published in coordination with KY3 News.
Resources for parents
Help on the way for frantic parents in new Child Care Connect service
Local parents in search of child care are frequently confused about where to turn for information. That is going to change soon thanks to a website being developed by early childhood experts at the Community Partnership of the Ozarks and Springfield Public Schools.
Overwhelmed by child care issues? You’re not alone, and there is help in Springfield
While a new referral service for child care help is on the way soon, the best advice for parents currently is to call multiple day care centers, and to search for online help.
TIPS: What to look for in a day care or child care center in Springfield
For any parent, but especially for first-timers, trying to find child care is often an overwhelming experience. A child care expert gives the Daily Citizen tips for parents to use when choosing a new day care.
CHILD CARE SOLUTIONS
community response
The Discovery Center opens 30 extra child care spots in response to reporting on crisis
The Discovery Center is opening 30 new child care spots this year in response, in part, the Springfield Daily Citizen’s and KY3’s Child Care Crisis series.
Project Reporting Team
