“‘The vast majority of Idaho child care providers are small businesses that operate on thin margins in normal times to accommodate as many families as possible,’ said Emily Allen, a policy associate with Idaho Voices for Children, a non-profit formed in 2004 with the goal of advancing public policies focused on child care and child welfare legislation.
‘Most providers have been operating at a loss over the last year. Enrollment is down, overhead remains high, and these businesses are struggling to hire qualified teachers. They cannot afford to pay staff any more or their fees will make care out of reach for families already struggling to pay child care expenses.’”