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The business of child care has operated in a strained market for years — low wages for workers and high costs for parents. 

Now, the pandemic is showing just how vital and fragile our child care system is.  

Early in the pandemic, providers were hit hard by big changes in employment. Furloughs and remote work led many families to pull children out of care, along with their dollars. The financial strain on child care providers is far from over. Home day cares continue to close. Centers are having trouble paying enough to keep workers. 

A lack of reliable and affordable care limits what jobs people can take and may be holding back the recovery of the entire economy. 

social policy bill being pushed by President Joe Biden

 would provide unprecedented public dollars to support child care. But, there’s also concern about who would administer the funds and who would get the money. 

Host Angela Davis checks in on the business and future of child care with providers and a consultant who works with child care entrepreneurs. 

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on 

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Child care costs more than the mortgage for some parents, 

 they can even find it. Host Angela Davis talks about how the pandemic is straining the already struggling child care sector and whether a boost in public funding could support providers and bring down the cost for parents. 

Child care costs more than the mortgage for some parents, if they can even find it. Host Angela Davis talks about how the pandemic is straining the already struggling child care sector and whether a boost in public funding could support providers and bring down the cost for parents. 


MPR News with Angela Davis - Child care costs more than the mortgage for some parents, if they can even find it. Host Angela Davis talks about how the pandemic is straining the already struggling child care sector and whether a boost in public funding could support providers and bring down the cost for parents. 

Can we fix child care?

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