A survey conducted by the Maryland Family Network shows that 51% of child care programs in the state may close if children are home for extended periods of time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Maryland Family Network survey was sent to all licensed child care providers in Maryland (over 8,000) with responses from every single jurisdiction and representing all types of child care businesses. Over two-thirds of child care businesses are reporting financial losses due to the closures, with the majority reporting losses between $1,000 and $5,000 per week. 72% of survey respondents say that government grants would be very helpful in aiding child care programs cover fixed costs, with many citing a want for better access to cleaning supplies and Personal Protection Equipment as well.

From Maryland Family Network:

State-wide there are more than 8,000 child care programs licensed to care for over 213,000  children. If half of these programs closed it would amount to a fiscal, domestic, and education crisis unlike any our state has ever seen. Parents need safe quality child care to be able to work and to keep our economy moving. A closure of this magnitude would cripple our workforce. Decades of research also proves that child who have access to quality early learning environments fare far better in life than those without this advantage. If half of the child care infrastructure suddenly disappeared, Maryland would be paying for it for decades in lost wages, decreased physical and mental health, and in significantly increased social spending on incarceration, drug treatment, crime, and special education.

This blog will be updated when complete survey results are released.