Little Brown Bear & the Giant Pandemic
Once upon a time, we - as in educators- were confident in what we could expect from day to day. But much like our curriculum, our world has become emergent and open-ended, and like a toddler, a bit unpredictable. If we have learned anything during these unprecedented times, it would be that we are like the Lebron of living species: when the odds are stacked against us, we pivot, reposition ourselves, and shoot our best shot.
I am happy and relieved to say that Little Brown Bear Academy has weathered the pandemic storm thus far. It is due to the support of our wonderful child care families, our alliances with fellow providers, and various resources from advocacy groups that we are still standing. We are immeasurably grateful for our Family Child Care community.
However, the unfortunate reality is that while we have discovered a way to swim back to shore, many Family Child Care homes still struggle. Some did not make it, determining that closing their doors was their best chance at survival.
According to the Provider Survey Data Analysis formulated using licensing information and responses from over 70% of Family Child Care providers in Massachusetts, there were approximately 5,322 Family Child Care homes across the state prior to the pandemic. As of September 2020, 1,179 of those programs had not reopened, with 207 already indicting that they were permanently closing. With information regarding delayed child care re-openings and permanent closures still unfolding, the data represents a crisis building in child care availability to families returning to work.
Over the past year, there has been an outpouring of solicitude and increased advocacy for our historically overlooked and under-respected field. The truth of the matter is that Family Child Care plays a key role in sustaining essential industries and providing quality care. Although some programs are closing, many providers have managed to stay open despite the risks to their own health in order support the needs of families in their communities. This proves that even in turmoil, Family Child Care Providers demonstrate the compassion of our field - putting others before themselves. That observation alone deserves so much more recognition than typically given. Hopefully with support from federal, state and local levels, Family Child Care will prevail stronger than before and respected from every angle.
There is much work to be done to stabilize the child care industry. In the meantime, Family Child Care Providers will continue to provide loving care and prepare our youngest citizens for the world, even if, we are still in survival mode. We are still in the woods.
