Childcare providers struggle to meet demand as parents return to office.

by Frances Lin

Sunday, October 24th 2021

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Anna Pickel, owner and provider of Happy Go Lucky Childcare, stands outside, surrounded by children. October 24, 2021 (KATU)

PORTLAND, Ore. — As people are beginning to return to the office and go back to work after disruptions from the coronavirus pandemic, there is one group of people who are struggling to return—women.

Before the pandemic, women consisted of over 50% of the workforce in the U.S. But now, over 3,000,000 women, specifically mothers, have left the workforce.

One of the main reasons is they just can’t find or afford childcare.

And while childcare centers here in Portland want to help, they are also struggling to expand to meet demand.

“I think it’s so important to have women in the workforce,” said Crume, a mother who uses childcare. “Through this pandemic, so many women have had to make that choice to stay home and care for their children, because childcare can be cost-prohibitive. They just have less options available.”

“Balancing watching her at home, while doing work calls and conference calls, having to do snack scavenger hunts, and doing like the one-arm push on the stroller to keep her occupied while you’re focusing on work,” described Erin Diorio, another mother who uses childcare. “It’s definitely been a life-saver. If we didn’t have childcare, unfortunately, probably my career would have to be on pause for a bit.”

“Trying to juggle a toddler, especially a 'threenager' on top of trying to get work done at home is just like, nearly impossible,” said Crume.

“I have more of demand for childcare than I could ever begin to fill,” said Anna Pickel, owner, and provider of Happy Go Lucky Childcare. “It’s huge, huge demand. But there’s just no availability.”

Pickel told KATU News three reasons why the expansion of childcare is basically impossible right now. First, the state changed fire building codes. A family child care center is required to have fire sprinkler systems installed.

“Those have ranged anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000 to have installed. So, not very realistic for people who are trying to open family childcares,” Pickel said, “That basically crushed family childcare, right there. Almost dead in the water.”

Second, there is a struggle when it comes to renting more properties

“Landlords will not rent to childcare programs. The first building I tried to go tour wouldn’t even allow me to come look at it when they found out I was a childcare program," said Pickel.

And third, zoning requirements.

"A building has to be zoned either I-4 or group E to be allowed to be used for education or childcare purposes. And it’s going to cost, I believe it’s around $2 a square foot,” Pickel said, “I’m going to probably end up having to spend $10,000 to $15,000 just to have the building rezoned.”

If you are a daycare owner or if your child (ren) attend daycare, share your thoughts below! We’d love to hear from you!